Four weeks into the fantasy basketball season, and it already feels like every roster needs another IL+ slot. Walker Kessler’s season-ending shoulder injury was the first major blow, but he’s far from alone. Between rest, injuries and legitimate setbacks, availability remains one of the most important factors of fantasy basketball.
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Here’s your Week 4 injury roundup — complete with return timelines and a panic meter to help you decide whether it’s time for concern.
Guards
LaMelo Ball – PG/SG, Charlotte Hornets
Ball is sidelined with right ankle soreness/impingement. At this point, he pretty much has the worst ankles in the league and fantasy managers are constantly fearful of any recurrence of an ankle injury. Early reports suggest the Hornets are being extremely cautious with their star point guard, but there’s still no timetable for his return. Unless surgery is mentioned, I’m considering this a moderate panic.
Panic-meter: 🔥🔥🔥
Darius Garland – PG, Cleveland Cavaliers
I’m concerned. In his first game back, Garland appeared to re-injure his toe, an injury that kept him out for the first six games of the season. The injured point guard will receive daily treatment and continue his post-surgery management plan in an effort to return to play. The injury is being classified as a contusion, but because it’s his surgically repaired toe, fantasy managers should be panicking.
Panic meter: 🔥🔥🔥
Jalen Green – PG/SG, Phoenix Suns
Green (hamstring) missed the first seven games of the season, returned with a bang and then exited the ninth game of the season after seven minutes once he aggravated his hamstring injury. Green will be re-evaluated in four-to-six weeks, which is a huge blow for fantasy managers. If you have to drop him in shallow leagues, I get it, but hold for as long as you can.
Panic meter: 🔥🔥🔥
Cam Thomas – SG/SF, Brooklyn Nets
I’m worried about Thomas not only because he’ll be re-evaluated in four weeks for his hamstring injury, but also the state of the Nets, plus his contract situation. I’m looking to sell him off any semblance of optimism.
Panic-meter: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Trae Young – PG, Atlanta Hawks
Young is out with a right knee MCL sprain. An MRI ruled out major structural damage, but the Atlanta Hawks have him sidelined for at least four weeks. Based on today (Nov 12), the earliest return looks like early to mid-December. The Hawks have the depth to survive without him, but fantasy managers have no choice but to stay the course until Young’s cleared for basketball activities.
Panic meter: 🔥🔥
Forwards
LeBron James – SF/PF, Los Angeles Lakers
The seemingly Ageless One is dealing with sciatica/back issues and has yet to play this season. The good news is, James is nearing his return after getting assigned to the Lakers’ G-League affiliate. James will participate in 5-on-5 practice, a good sign that he’ll be back on the court soon. There could be a minutes restriction early on, but fantasy managers who got him in the fifth round or later have to be feeling pretty good about getting James back into their lineups.
Panic-meter: 🔥
Kawhi Leonard – SF/PF, Los Angeles Clippers
Four missed games in a row is far from ideal. However, at least it’s an ankle injury and not his troublesome knees. I’m not worried about his long-term outlook yet. He was averaging 34 minutes per game and as efficient as ever, with 51/40/96 shooting splits. There will always be some level of panic with Leonard, but it’s pretty low despite the recent ankle injury.
Panic meter: 🔥🔥
Jalen Williams – SF/PF, Oklahoma City Thunder
Williams was at Wednesday’s pre-game shootaround, getting jumpers up with both hands, which is a positive development after having a screw removed from his surgically-repaired wrist 11 days ago. There’s still no timetable, but fantasy managers should continue stashing Williams for as long as possible.
Panic meter: 🔥
Paul George – SG/SF/PF, Philadelphia 76ers
George (knee) will be re-evaluated later this week, as he enters the final stage of his rehabilitation program that requires him to strengthen his left quad. The Sixers could use PG’s services right now and it appears fantasy managers are on track to get PG back into their lineups as well. Expect a minutes restriction and likely no back-to-backs to start.
Panic meter: 🔥🔥
Centers
Joel Embiid – C, Philadelphia 76ers
Embiid is dealing with soreness in his right knee. AN MRI revealed no structural damage and thankfully, it was not the knee that he had surgery on in the offseason. Still, it’s another setback for the oft-injured Embiid and after already missing four games, more are likely to come. I’d try to trade him but the return likely won’t match that of Embiid’s production.
Panic-meter: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Anthony Davis – PF/C, Dallas Mavericks
Davis (calf strain) is listed as questionable tonight versus the Phoenix Suns. I’m skeptical he’s ready to return, especially with the amount of calf injuries turning into Achilles tears over the past year. But if it was a low-grade strain, maybe AD’s time off was enough to be ready to go. If he returns tonight or even this week, use it as a sell-high opportunity. The Mavs’ season is already off the rails and having to worry about AD going to the locker room every game is not something you’ll want to deal with any longer.
Panic-meter: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Other top-100 caliber players worth stashing:
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Brandon Miller – SF/PF, Charlotte Hornets
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Zach Edey – C, Memphis Grizzlies
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Coby White – PG/SG, Chicago Bulls
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Tyler Herro – PG/SG, Miami Heat
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Zion Williamson – PF, New Orleans Pelicans
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Bennedict Mathurin – SG/SF, Indiana Pacers
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Bam Adebayo -PF/C, Miami Heat
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Keegan Murray – SF/PF, Sacramento Kings
Outside top-100 players not worth stashing:
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Tobias Harris – SF/PF, Detroit Pistons
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Jordan Poole – PG/SG, New Orleans Pelicans
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Dereck Lively – C, Dallas Mavericks
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Bradley Beal – SG/SF, Los Angeles Clippers
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Kevin Porter Jr. – PG, Milwaukee Bucks
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Dylan Harper – PG/SG, San Antonio Spurs
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