Week 5 was not kind to NBA players, fans, nor fantasy basketball managers. A week that included several starters going down, and forced several difficult IR roster decisions. That is the grueling part of fantasy basketball, but the fun part is finding talent to fill the void. Week 5 is ending, but week 6 is ahead. This week’s column takes a look at crucial injuries, and finds deep dive waiver wire targets to patch up rosters.

 

 


NBA Injury Report Week 6

Aaron Gordon, Forward, Denver Nuggets: Hamstring

Aaron Gordon injured his hamstring on Friday against the Houston Rockets. The expectation is for him to be out at least 4 - 6 weeks with a grade 2 hamstring strain. Expect the Nuggets to be cautious with a player crucial to their success.

Derrick Jones, Guard, Los Angeles Clippers: Knee/MCL

Jones Jr. hurt his knee on Sunday against the Boston Celtics. He is not expected back until 2026. Do not expect the Clippers to rush him back in what could be a lost season.

Ja Morant, Guard, Memphis Grizzlies: Calf

Morant made a six minute return from two missed games, only to go down with a calf injury. He earned the grade 1 calf strain against the Cleveland Cavaliers, and is expected to miss the remainder of November. 

Nikola Jovic, Forward, Miami Heat: Hip

Jovic aggravated his hip against the New York Knicks and missed the last two games. He is expected back at some point this week. Monitor his situation in order to avoid a roster lock due to an active player on IR.

Andrew Wiggins, Guard/Forward, Miami Heat: Hip

Wiggins missed the last game due to hip soreness, and could miss one of Miami’s back-to-back games Sunday or Monday. Monitor his status for both games.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Forward, Milwaukee Bucks: Groin

It was a massive blow to fantasy basketball managers when G. Antetokounmpo left the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers with a groin injury. It turned out to be a low grade groin strain, but he is expected to miss two weeks. Put him on the IR or keep on the bench… One does not simply drop Giannis Antetokounmpo.

OG Anunoby, Forward, New York Knicks: Hamstring

Anunoby injured his left hamstring on a missed fast-break lay-up against the Miami Heat. He has been unable to play, and isn’t expected back until December.

Kelly Oubre Jr, Forward, Philadelphia 76ers: Knee

Oubre Jr. has a strained LCL, and he is expected to miss the remainder of November. 

Jrue Holiday, Guard, Portland Trail Blazers: Calf

Holiday is dealing with a right calf strain, and is expected to miss at least one more week. Portland will be cautious with their two-time champion veteran. 

Shaedon Sharpe, Guard, Portland Trail Blazers: Calf

Sharpe also went down with a calf injury. It is not believed to be as severe as Holiday’s, and should be monitored going forward. He is expected back at some point this week.

Domantas Sabonis, Center, Sacramento Kings: Knee 

This is a major injury, a partially torn meniscus in his left knee. A big blow to the Kings and fantasy basketball managers as well. He is expected out at least a month, but it could be longer.

Victor Wembanyama, Center, San Antonio Spurs: Calf

Wembanyama is dealing with a left calf strain, and he is expected to miss the remainder of November. Wembanyama is on the do not drop list. Hold onto him regardless of injury status or bench size.

Stephon Castle, Guard, San Antonio Spurs: Hip

Castle injured his hip against the Sacramento Kings. It’s been diagnosed as a left hip flexor strain, and he is expected to miss the remainder of the month.

 

 


Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Week 6

Robert Williams, Power Forward/Center, Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers are banged up this season, and will be forced to rely on their frontcourt players. They could go with a bigger lineup, and should have a rotation of their big men. Robert Williams is owned in just 2% of all Sleeper leagues. Pick him and put him in week 6 starting lineups.

Precious Achiuwa, Center, Sacramento Kings

Achiuwa is about to be tasked with more responsibility. He has played 23 or more minutes in three consecutive matches, and has 18 combined rebounds in those games. He is owned in just 4% of Sleeper leagues, and starts in only 2%. Sabonis owners should be looking at Achiuwa as a legitimate handcuff, and viable week 6 starter.

Peyton Watson, Forward, Denver Nuggets

Peyton Watson has been a great player in spurts throughout his NBA career, and is an elite defensive player. With Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun out, Watson has been inserted into the starting lineup. He has played 34 minutes in four consecutive games, prior to the loss against the Sacramento Kings.

Watson is owned in 22% of sleeper leagues, and starting in just 13%. He had a 55.50 point game in standard DraftKings scoring, and has scored 22.5 or more fantasy points in each of Denver’s last three games. Put him in the week 6 lineup with confidence.

Julian Champagnie, Scoring Guard/Small Forward, San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs are dealing with injuries and Champagne has responded with more production. He scored 20 points, passed out 5 assists, and earned 4 rebounds in their Saturday match against the Atlanta Hawks.

He is owned in just 6% of Sleeper leagues, and starting in just 4%. Pick him up off the waiver wire, and put him in the week 6 starting lineup.

 

 

 

Week 6 Daily Game Amounts

Mon-10, Tue-3 (NBA Cup), Wed-9 (NBA Cup), Thur-0, Fri-9 (NBA Cup), Sat-7, Sun-8.

For fantasy basketball leagues which require daily rosters, Tuesday’s games are the Atlanta Hawks at Washington Wizards, Orlando Magic at Philadelphia 76ers, and Los Angeles Clippers at Los Angeles Lakers.
 

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