Fantasy Alarm absolutely nailed the waiver wire column last week with Ryan Nembhard, Jared McCain, Dominick Barlow, and Jay Huff. More players are mentioned this week, but there have been several last minute players who do not play. Be mindful of that when setting your lineups. It is wise to have an alarm set about 10-15 minutes prior to 6:00 PM ET. Because zero point fantasy basketball performances do not win championships. 

The NBA Cup knockout games take place this week, and as mentioned teams have been utilizing load management to cover for awful scheduling. In week 8 fantasy basketball managers must make roster decisions that are more impactful with very few games until Friday. Once again terrible scheduling, but smart fantasy managers make an advantage out of their opponents disadvantage. There were several new impactful injuries last week. Let’s take a look at them now.

 

NBA Injury Report Week 8

LaMelo Ball, Guard, Charlotte Hornets: Ankle

Ball injured his ankle in the December fifth match against the Toronto Raptors. He’s expected to be out at least until December 12.

Collin Sexton, Guard, Charlotte Hornets: Ankle

Sexton went down December third with a quadriceps injury. He is expected out at least until December 12, but would realistically expect a longer absence.

Kevin Huerter, Guard, Chicago Bulls: Thigh

Huerter injured his thigh in the first quarter against the Orlando Magic. He has missed a couple of games, and is expected to miss a couple more.

Larry Nance Jr, Forward, Cleveland Cavaliers: Calf

Nance Jr. is still out with a calf injury, but could return this week. Monitor the situation. 

Ben Sheppard, Guard, Indiana Pacers: Calf

Sheppard was out with a calf injury in the Pacers most recent match. It isn’t believed to be serious, but could keep him out a couple more games. Deep leagues take notice.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Forward, Milwaukee Bucks: Calf

Giannis Antetokounmpo made a three game return from injury, then reinjured his calf in the first three minutes on December third. He is expected out for the remainder of the month, if not longer. In redraft leagues, if Antetokounmpo can be traded for any value, it would be wise to do so. He could just coast through his last season in Milwaukee. 

Zion Williamson, Forward, New Orleans Pelicans: Thigh

The big man went down again, and hasn’t played since November 29th. He is expected out until the end of the month, but with Williamson it could linger longer than expected. Williamson gets hyped every year, and every year he’s the biggest bust. Don’t expect much to change for the remainder of this season.

 

Lugentz Dort, Guard, Oklahoma City Thunder: Thigh

Dort has missed the last two games and will miss Sunday’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. It could be additional rest in a load management situation, but he could miss more time.

Isaiah Joe, Guard, Oklahoma City Thunder: Knee

Joe missed the Thunder’s last game, and is out Sunday’s game against the Utah Jazz. This could be more about load management than a real injury.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Guard, Oklahoma City Thunder: Elbow

This is load management disguised as an elbow injury. The Thunder are resting their backcourt against their divisional rival, the Utah Jazz. Do not panic, he is just being rested for the NBA Cup. 

Alex Caruso, Guard, Oklahoma City Thunder: Thigh

Caruso has been dealing with an injury that has kept him out three games. He too is out against the Utah Jazz, but could make a return for the NBA Cup.

Devin Booker, Guard, Phoenix Suns: Groin

Booker was injured against the Los Angeles Lakers on December first. He only played 10 minutes in that match, and is expected to miss a few more games. Monitor the superstar’s injury going forward.

Bilal Coulibaly, Guard, Washington Wizards: Oblique

Coulibaly is dealing with an oblique injury that has sidelined him in Washington’s last two games. He is expected to be out at least ten more days, but it could be longer.

 

Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Week 8

Pat Spencer, Guard/Forward, Golden State Warriors: Rostered in 5% of Sleeper Leagues

Pat Spencer looks more like a character from Super Troopers than he does an NBA basketball player. To his credit he was the best NCAA lacrosse player in the country (2019), before playing basketball his senior season. The 29-year old third year veteran has made the most of Stephen Curry’s absence. He has scored 29 or more fantasy basketball points (in bland Draftkings scoring) in the past three games.

He hasn’t exceeded 29 minutes all season, but in the last three games has 16 or more points and two games with 6 or more assists. He’s also added a steal in every game. Pick him up and put him in the starting lineup until Stephen Curry comes back.

Cam Spencer, Guard/Forward, Memphis Grizzlies: Rostered in 11% of Sleeper Leagues

What’s better than one Spencer on the waiver wire? Two spencers on the waiver wire! The brothers get the nod for week 8 as they both step up for star point guards on their team. Cam Spencer has been a much more consistent fantasy basketball player throughout the season. Yet, is rostered in just 11% of leagues.

The Memphis Grizzlies utilize him more than his brother, and Cam has six consecutive games with 10 or more points (look out Leborn James). Pick up the younger brother if help is needed due to injuries. 

Cason Wallace, Guard, Oklahoma City Thunder: Rostered in 23% of Sleeper Leagues

Wallace is a great option with the Thunder resting most of their backcourt against the Jazz. He is a great option even when they are back too. He has 14.25 or more fantasy basketball points in ten consecutive games. He should have much more than that if the Thunder continue to be cautious with their starting backcourt. 

Also Oklahoma City has most of their games won before the start of the fourth quarter. The Thunder have lost just one game this season, and they could win the NBA Cup. That would be a game Saturday, and there are only two games that day. Pick him up and keep him on the roster as a great start this week.

Bruce Brown, Guard/Forward, Denver Nuggets: Rostered in 4% of Sleeper Leagues

Have you ever had a friend that broke up with someone, stayed separated for a couple of years then got back together? That is similar to what Bruce Brown and the Denver Nuggets did. However “Brucey B” (as Nuggets fans call him) had a contract that he couldn’t turn down. $45,000,000 over two years. In fact he was the highest paid Indiana Pacer while there. 

Now he’s back on a team where he fits in schematically, in a spot where he can play his natural game, and in a geographic area that makes him happy. That has led to great fantasy basketball. He has recorded 20.50 or more points in five of his last nine games. He has been scoring more with injuries to Christian Braun and Aaron Gordon, and his defense is always elite. Teams experiencing injuries should pick Brown up.

Week 8 Daily Game Amounts

  • Mon-3, Tue-2 (NBA CUP), Wed-2 (NBA CUP), Thur-4, Fri-7, Sat-2 (NBA CUP), Sun-6.

As mentioned, it is a massive blow to fantasy basketball managers this week due to terrible scheduling. Three days will ultimately come down to eight teams, and if a fantasy roster is not stacked with the winners on those teams, it will be difficult to win this week. Make smart roster decisions, but do not sacrifice a roster just to win this week.

Bet Smart, Be Lucky - Iggy G.