Injuries are mounting at an incredibly quick pace right now. Stephen Curry went down with a sprained ankle on Thursday and didn’t return to the game, while it was announced that Karl-Anthony Towns is out for at least a month because of a torn meniscus in his right knee. You can add guys like Victor Wembanyama, Donovan Mitchell, Tyrese Maxey and Jalen Johnson to the injured list and things are getting pretty dicey for many fantasy managers.
But injuries will provide opportunities for some obscure players, some of whom I’ll feature as Risers, while other players who normally are stellar producers are struggling right now. I was torn on whether to just go with injured players for the Fallers, but that seemed too obvious, so I’m just going with good players who are struggling of late.
Risers
Vasilije Micic, PG/SG, Hornets (1.6% rostered in ESPN leagues): While many NBA fans haven’t even heard of Micic, it’s time to take notice of what he’s doing in Charlotte. Add in that Tre Mann is now dealing with a groin injury, and Micic could be special going forward. He holds averages of 15.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 2.0 steals and 0.7 3-pointers during his past three games and is widely available in most fantasy leagues. He’s also starting and has averaged 31 minutes per game over his past three. The silly season is officially here.
Naz Reid, PF/C, Timberwolves (38.9%): Reid may not be available in a lot of competitive leagues, but his rostership number should be a lot higher given the news that KAT is done for the regular season. Reid has averaged 14.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and 1.8 3-pointers during his past six games and should only get better with KAT out of action. Savvy managers jumped on him as soon as the KAT news broke on Thursday, but there’s a chance he’s still available in your league.
Saddiq Bey, SF/PF, Hawks (25.8%): Jalen Johnson has been ruled out for Friday’s game and I suspect he’ll miss at least a couple more games with his ankle injury. Bey had 23 points, 8 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block and 3 3-pointers against the Cavaliers on Wednesday, while De’Andre Hunter (15.1%) added 17 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 2 3-pointers in 26 minutes off the bench. Bey was hot even with a healthy Johnson with averages of 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.0 3-pointers over his past three games. Both players should see a nice workload against the Grizzlies on Friday and will both be worth rostering for as long as Johnson is out for Atlanta, but I prefer Bey at this point.
Kelly Olynyk, PF/C, Raptors (20.6%): Jakob Poeltl is likely out for the regular season because of surgery on his pinkie finger, which should force Olynyk into a big role for the Raptors. Olynyk has averaged 11.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 2.3 steals, 1.3 blocks and 0.7 3-pointers on 39% shooting during his past four games. His shots will start falling, and he should continue to get better as he learns how to play with his new teammates after being traded to Toronto. He’s the lone big man for the Raptors and has played at least 26 minutes in four straight games. I suspect he’s getting ready to take off.
Matisse Thybulle, SG/SF, Blazers (1.8%): The Blazers are a mess, and while Duop Reath is getting all the attention, Thybulle has quietly also been very good for Portland over the past two weeks, returning fifth-round fantasy value. He has averaged just 7.0 points during his past six games, but also a league-best 3.3 steals to go along with 3.3 rebounds and a 3-pointer per game. No one is stealing the ball like Thybulle right now, so if you can live without scoring and are looking to make a run in steals, he’s certainly worth a look. Just don’t expect him to suddenly start scoring anytime soon. But as long as Deandre Ayton (hand) remains out for the Blazers, Reath (4.1%) is a more intriguing pickup with averages of 18.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.0 steals, 1.5 blocks and 2.0 3-pointers in 29.3 minutes over his past four games.
Fallers
Bradley Beal, PG/SG, Suns (86.4%): Beal has been worth just an 11th-round fantasy player during his past four games since returning from another injury and is being outplayed by Grayson Allen on most nights. Allen’s worth rostering everywhere right now, while Beal has been more of a headache than anything else, despite decent averages of 18.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 3.3 turnovers in his past four games. The turnovers have been a big problem, obviously.
Bam Adebayo, C, Heat (99.5%): Adebayo has also only been worth an 11th-round pick during his past seven games with averages of 20.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.9 blocks, 0.0 3-pointers and 2.4 turnovers. His 67% free throw shooting has been a problem, as have his lack of blocks and assists.
Jerami Grant, PF, Blazers (79.8%): Grant is still playing for the Blazers but has been just a 12th-round player during his past six games with averages of 16.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.8 steals, 0.2 blocks, 2.0 3-pointers and 3.2 turnovers per game. He’s also a shutdown candidate and is dealing with a hamstring injury. Honestly, I don’t think it would take much to get him shut down by the Blazers at this point, and he may not play on Friday.
Paul George, SG/SF, Clippers (99.6%): The Clippers are 5-5 over their past 10 games, and the struggles of George are part of the reason why. He has averaged 20.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.4 blocks, 3.8 3-pointers and 2.6 turnovers during his past five games and is shooting just 63% from the free throw line over that stretch. He can turn things around quickly by hitting some freebies and contributing in assists and steals, but we can probably point the finger at him for the Clippers’ recent slide. George has been worth just a 12th-round fantasy pick over that stretch.
Zion Williamson, PF, Pelicans (98.3%): Williamson has only been worthy of a 14th-round fantasy pick during his past six games with averages of 18.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 0.3 steals, 1.0 blocks, 0.2 3-pointers and 3.2 turnovers per game. He’s also shooting just 70% from the free throw line, and when you add that to the lack of rebounds, steals and 3-pointers, it makes sense as to why his ranking is so low.
Source: www.espn.com