The Dallas Mavericks are hanging tough as a top-five team in the western conference of the NBA, but they continue to lose players. Luka Doncic isn’t 100 percent and Tim Hardaway Jr has been dealing with ankle issues. Let’s also not forget that they’ve been without Dorian Finney-Smith, Maxi Kleber, and Josh Green in the frontcourt. If Doncic has to sit, Spencer Dinwiddie and Christian Wood will need other Mavericks reserves to step up and produce if they’re going to keep themselves over 500. Here are some of the latest NBA injuries for the 2022-2023 fantasy basketball season.

 

2022 NFL Injury Report Fantasy Basketball Week 14

NBA Point Guard Injury News

Luka Doncic, PG Dallas Mavericks (Ankle)

Doncic has a sore ankle and has had to miss one game so far and it isn’t determined if he’s going to have to sit for another game. The Mavericks just got smoked by the Blazers twice and they can use his help for the Hawks matchup that he has next. If he can’t make it back to the court, Frank Ntilikina and Spencer Dinwiddie will run the point and last game McKinley Wright IV backed them up playing 13 minutes. The injury isn’t considered severe and he’s day-to-day. 

John Wall, PG Los Angeles Clippers (Abs)

Wall is looking at the next few weeks off the floor as he’ll be recovering from an abdominal injury. The Clippers have been recently messing with their rotation and Terance Mann will continue to run the offense and Reggie Jackson will back him up. Mann has put up more consistent stat lines than Jackson and he’ll continue to hit the 30-minute mark. Even when Wall comes back, Mann could end up remaining the Clippers starting point guard and Wall (who they should want to preserve because of injury history) will back him up sending Jackson back to the end of the bench.

Jordan McLaughlin, PG Minnesota Timberwolves (Calf)

Recent reports indicate that it may not be a matter of weeks until we see McLaughlin play again, but it could turn to a month-to-month situation and Jaylen Nowell will continue backing up D’Angelo Russell. The Timberwolves also have Austin Rivers who they can rotate to multiple spots on the court including small forward. Nowell and Rivers will split reserve minutes unless a player from the Timberwolves mid-court is hurt. If that’s the case, Rivers will shift up to small forward.

LaMelo Ball PG Charlotte Hornets (Ankle): 

Ball has injured his ankles a few times and missed a lot of action this season and for now we should consider him day-to-day but we're all holding our breath because he could be looking at time off again and if he's out, Dennis Smith Jr and Terry Rozier will help run the point. Rozier is reportedly being dangled to other teams for a possible trade and he could be on the ball a bit more than he was the last time Ball was out because he's being showcased. Theo Maledon could see reserve run as well. 

NBA Shooting Guard Injury News

Donovan Mitchell, SG Cleveland Cavaliers (Groin)

Mitchell hurt his groin the last time the Cavs took the floor, and we are awaiting more details regarding the severity of the injury. He left the game and didn’t return. If he needs to miss time, Caris LeVert will be the biggest beneficiary and will get more time on the ball. Both LeVert and Darius Garland see a near three percent usage bump if Mitchell has to sit out for a few games. 

Paul George, SG Los Angeles Clippers (Hamstring)

After missing his last five games of action with an injured hamstring, there’s a chance George can return for the Clippers next game. It is uncertain whether he’ll be on a minutes restriction if he’s cleared and if he isn’t cleared or is restricted, Norman Powell and Nicolas Batum will have to help Kawhi Leonard produce more on the offensive end. Luke Kennard remains injured. Powell becomes the biggest beneficiary and if the Clippers need to shift Leonard down so Batum can get on the court to fire away long-range shots, he’ll indirectly benefit. 

Tim Hardaway Jr., SG Dallas Mavericks (Ankle)

Hardaway toggles between shooting guard and small forward and because the Mavs are very banged up, they’ll need players such as Reggie Bullock to play multiple positions and relieve other options. Hardaway missed one game with a sprained ankle and could potentially sit again for Wednesday’s game. His injury isn’t considered a severe sprain. To help from a defensive standpoint, Frank Ntilikina can help fill in at shooting guard if needed. He plays excellent perimeter defense and fights nicely through screens. Davis Bertans, who lives and dies by his three-point shooting could indirectly benefit by seeing more playing time if other rotational players need to shift down to other back and mid-court positions. 

Landry Shamet SG Phoenix Suns (Foot): 

Shamet is on an unfortunate trend over the last month of playing a few games and then getting hurt and sitting out for a few and the Suns need all of the help they can get because Devin Booker and Cameron Payne remain out and Chris Paul has been out recently as well. If Shamet needs to miss more time with his sore foot, Damion Lee and Duane Washington Jr will see more action and Saben Lee could play a bit more off the bench as well especially if Paul remains out.

Gary Payton II SG Portland Trail Blazers (Calf): 

Payton's calf has been bothering him and the Blazers are going to be careful with bringing Payton back because he missed so much of the early part of the season. If his calf doesn't heal, Shaedon Sharpe will see more action on the court. Nassir Little could indirectly benefit if Josh Hart needs to shift down to shooting guard at times by seeing more minutes at small forward. 

Austin Rivers SG Minnesota Timberwolves (Knee): 

The Timberwolves have played Rivers at three different positions throughout the season including starting him at small forward at times and he's missed the last couple of games with a knee injury and if he needs more time off the floor, Jaylen Nowell will see even more playing time and more time with the ball. Since Jordan McLaughlin is still hurt, Wendell Moore Jr can see a slight uptick in minutes if Nowell needs to run the point with the Timberwolves second unit. 

NBA Small Forward Injury News

DeMar DeRozan, SF Chicago Bulls (Quad)

When the injury first occurred, it looked bad, but looks can be deceiving and after missing three games because of his injured quad, there’s a good chance DeRozan returns for the Bulls next game on Thursday. Derrick Jones Jr will likely see his minutes drop once DeRozan comes back. Patrick Williams has helped at small forward at times and the Bulls have needed to shift up Alex Caruso and play a three-guard offense at times because Javonte Green is also still hurt. DeRozan has been practicing and his return this week is looking good.

Khris Middleton, SF Milwaukee Bucks (Knee)

Things are looking up for Middleton after reports came out that he’s going to practice with the Bucks G-League team. It shows that he’s getting there and could return to action soon (likely under heavy minutes restrictions for the first couple of weeks). Middleton has been active for just seven games this season and he’s missed the last month with a sore knee while missing a bunch of time earlier recovering from off-season wrist surgery. Pat Connaughton will continue to take more shots until he returns. Jordan Nwora will continue seeing reserve minutes behind Connaughton until Middleton returns. When Joe Ingles is healthy, he’ll get more minutes until Middleton is ready to roll. 

Herbert Jones, SF New Orleans Pelicans (Back)

Jones has missed a few games with an injured back and with Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram still sidelined, Naji Marshall and Trey Murphy III will be heavily relied on for mid-court production. Jones is considered day-to-day which is a good sign because back injuries can be very severe and slow to heal. Dyson Daniels has also benefitted from all of these injuries the Pelicans are suffering from and has played at least 25 minutes in each of his last 3 games.

Cody Martin, SF Charlotte Hornets (Knee)

Martin has played in just six games this season and his knee has been acting up and had to miss his last game so it wouldn’t be surprising to see him sit out for another game or two. Jalen McDaniels will continue seeing heavier run because Gordon Hayward is also hurt and then when it comes to who will back up McDaniels, the Hornets will patch it together by giving JT Thor and Bryce McGowens more playing time. We’ll have to see if another report comes out about Martin needing to get his knee looked at. The Hornets haven’t been able to shake injuries throughout the season. 

NBA Power Forward Injury News

Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF Milwaukee Bucks (Knee)

Antetokounmpo will miss his third straight game with a sore knee and it’s starting to get a little concerning because he’s been dealing with this nagging knee pain for a month and when he’s on the court, he’s still been effective, but with him out for at least one more game, Bobby Portis will see more playing time and Jrue Holiday remains the prioritized scorer and Brook Lopez should get a few more looks from downtown. Antetokounmpo was looking like he was going to return on Monday but he still felt discomfort in his knee and to see him ruled out again is a little bit concerning.  

Lauri Markkanen, PF Utah Jazz (Hip)

The Jazz have had to utilize a three-guard offense more with both Markkanen and Kelly Olynyk injured and Markkanen has missed his last two contests. If he needs more time off the floor, Jarred Vanderbilt will continue to shift up to power forward and Rudy Gay and Talen Horton-Tucker will get more reserve run. At center, Walker Kessler has been great and he’s been filling in for Olynyk he’s been a monster on the glass and has supported the Jazz offense with his inside scoring. View Markkanen as day-to-day for now.

Cameron Johnson, PF Phoenix Suns (Knee)

Johnson has been practicing and reports say that his return to action is drawing near, and we could see him back on the court for the first time since November in the next few games and once he returns, he’ll be in line for a good number of shots with Devin Booker still hurt. Torrey Craig will take on more of a reserve role when Johnson is able to play full minutes. We have to think that his minutes will be monitored for a few games before the Suns unleash him. The Suns can use all of the help they can get offensively, and they’ve suffered a ton of injuries this season.

Jabari Smith Jr PF Houston Rockets (Ankle): 

Smith hurt his ankle and left the Rockets last game and we know he'll miss at least one game as he recovers and while he's out, the Rockets will have to patch it together by rotating K.J. Martin, Jae'Sean Tate and even Tari Eason. Tate should play around 25 minutes per game until he's fully unleashed as he missed a lot of time due to injury. Consider Smith day-to-day and it wouldn't be surprising to see him sit for two of three games. 

Dean Wade PF Cleveland Cavaliers (Shoulder): 

Wade hasn't played since early December and just when it seems like he's close to returning, his return gets delayed as the pain in his shoulder has taken awhile to subside. He can't take full contact and the Cavaliers coaches are being a bit unclear in their comments regarding Wade's recovery and it just doesn't seem like he'll be back in action for a few more weeks. Lamar Stevens will continue seeing more minutes with the Cavs reserves until Wade is ready to return. 

Jeff Green PF Denver Nuggets (Hand): 

Green hasn't played in about a month, but is reportedly very close to returning to action and should be back in the Nuggets lineup in the next couple of games. He'll give Nikola Jokic a bit of relief upon returning but Jokic plays a lot of minutes. His return could help preserve Michael Porter Jr a bit more as Green can rotate between power forward and center. He's played around 20 minutes per contest this season. 

Jonathan Isaac PF Orlando Magic (Knee): 

A return that has been three years in the making could occur soon as Isaac is back with the Magic after a lengthy recovery from a horrible knee injury and he's faced multiple injuries over the last few years and the Magic will keep him under a very heavy minutes restriction for a long time until he can prove that his body can recover from the physicality without any complications. The Magic have a lot of forwards to feed playing time too. Bol Bol's role should remain intact even when Isaac does return. The Magic also have Chuma Okeke who's been out for awhile.

NBA Center Injury News

Anthony Davis, C Los Angeles Lakers (Foot)

New reports have mentioned that Davis could be back in the mix for the Lakers in the next month. He’s trying to beat the All-Star break, but nothing is a guarantee. The Lakers will have to make a choice whether to go big and start Davis and Thomas Bryant in the same lineup or have Bryant relieve Davis. Once he comes back, Bryant will likely be sent back to the bench and Wenyen Gabriel will lose out on reserve minutes, but Davis is on the mend and should return in the middle of February. The Lakers will have to be careful with him when he first returns because he is fragile.

Rudy Gobert, C Minnesota Timberwolves (Groin)

Gobert hurt his groin in the Timberwolves last game and we’re awaiting reports on the severity of the injury if he has to miss any action, Naz Reid will see a lot more minutes and will likely draw starts. Karl-Anthony Towns is still out and Jaden McDaniels will toggle between small and power forward and Luka Garza and Nathan Knight will split the reserve minutes behind Reid. The Timberwolves backcourt will have to continue supplying most of their offense until their frontcourt gets a bit healthier. Gobert is day-to-day for now.

Christian Wood C Dallas Mavericks (Thumb): 

Wood fractured his thumb and for now, doesn't need surgery and he could potentially play in the next week if his thumb heals. Dorian Finney-Smith who recently returned will take a few more shots and Dwight Powell should draw starts and JaVale McGee should see more reserve minutes over the Mavs next few games. His thumb fracture doesn't see severe and it will come down to how much pain Wood can tolerate because he is a shooter and needs full range of motion. 

Mitchell Robinson C New York Knicks (Thumb): 

Robinson is dealing with a fractured thumb and had a procedure on it that could keep him sidelined for three to four weeks and while he's recovering on the sidelines, Isaiah Hartenstein will start more and Obi Toppin can rotate to center as well. If the Knicks need Julius Randle to shift up and play undersized center for a few minutes he can and even though he's a bit raw, Jericho Sims has good ups and could end up playing 12-16 minutes per game until Robinson returns. 

Maxi Kleber C Dallas Mavericks (Hamstring): 

The timetable for Kleber's return has been a bit unclear since he's recovering from a torn hamstring and you have to be careful fully buying into what a player is saying when it comes to their personal timetable, but reports indicate that Kleber thinks he could make it back to the court in the next month. He's been out since the middle of December and with Christian Wood hurt, Dwight Powell and JaVale McGee will play all of the Mavericks center minutes until either comes back.

 

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