Now for the Eastern Conference portion of my two-part injury updates around the league. If you missed my version for the West, you can find it here.
Eastern Conference
- Ben Simmons (conditioning/personal) “ramping up” - On Monday, Ramona Shelburne of ESPN reported that Simmons is ramping up his activity and hopes to play in the next few weeks. “Ben Simmons, from what I’m told, is going to really ramp it up this week and see where he’s at,” Shelburne said. “He’s getting close. It’s going to be more like weeks rather than months.” So, while he’s not playing immediately after the All-Star break, the timing is shaping out nicely for fantasy playoffs. Simmons will likely be back for most league’s playoffs, and if you’ve clinched a playoff spot and have Simmons stashed, you’re in pretty good shape.
- Kevin Durant (left knee) still has no firm timetable - Nets coach Steve Nash wasn’t all too helpful in regards to a KD update back on February 12 (the last we’ve heard), saying that he still doesn’t have a firm timeline. I treat this as a situation somewhat similar to Anthony Davis and the Lakers -- a really good player on a team expected to be up there in the standings and can therefore afford to take their time with their studs’ recoveries, but in reality, they need them ASAP. Keep hanging onto Cam Thomas while KD is out, as he’s nearly provided top-100 value over the past two weeks and is averaging more than 20 points per contest. Some other injured Nets include Joe Harris (ankle) and James Johnson (right wrist), and while Johnson has some deep-league appeal with a few fun lines sprinkled in his game log, I wouldn’t call him a must-have guy. As for Harris, Nash said that he could play after the All-Star break, and if he’s cleared soon, maybe he’s worth a look for some threes but not much else, especially with Seth Curry now in town.
- James Harden (left hamstring) - The Beard most recently played on February 3 and missed the All-Star game, so I guess it’s nice to know that the injury was legitimate and not just a pre-deadline hoax. He must be antsy to play with his new team and he could play in Friday’s game against the Wolves, but that hasn’t been confirmed yet. Also, don’t drop Tyrese Maxey just because Harden is a Sixer. He’s been so good all year and is still a top-75 guy on the season, and while he’s apt to lose some touches to the ball-dominant Harden, he’s been too fun to cut.
- Kristaps Porzingis (right knee) likely to make Wizards debut against the Spurs on February 25 - Porzingis has yet to make his Washington debut and hasn’t even played a game in February, but he has to be somewhat close. He won’t lack for opportunity on his new squad and could be a beast if he stays healthy, but that “if” is a big one. He’s known for being injured more often than not, but he’ll be a beast when he’s on the court. Just keep in mind the Wizards have slipped drastically in the Eastern Conference standings despite a torrid start, but the factor of the play-in tournament has them just a single game back from the 10th seeded Hawks, which could bode well for KP.
- Alex Caruso (right wrist fracture) to resume shooting/dribbling any day now - Back on February 12, Caruso was given a 7-to-10 day timeline to resume shooting and dribbling activities, so that appears to be right around the corner. His conditioning is reportedly in good shape, so as soon as his wrist is up to full strength, he should be a full go. He’s still likely multiple weeks away, but keep rolling with guys like Ayo Dosunmu, Coby White and Javonte Green while he’s sidelined. Dosunmu did jam his thumb during the Rising Stars game, but he should be just fine to play on Thursday. Lonzo Ball (left knee) could be back by March 11 according to the most optimistic side of his most recent timeline, and the trio mentioned above will also benefit until he’s back, which looks like it’ll be later than the Carushow. Zach LaVine headed into the break with a left knee injury, and recently was given a PRP injection and cortisone shot to help him get through the season, after which he’ll further deal with it. He may still be iffy for Thursday’s matchup with the Hawks, so we’ll see, but he did score 12 points in 11 minutes of Sunday’s All-Star game which is encouraging.
- John Collins (right foot strain) - he missed the last three Hawks games before the break, but he’ll have nearly two full weeks off before his next action, leading us to believe that he should be ready. If he’s not, keep rolling with Danilo Gallinari, but it’ll be short lived.
- Victor Oladipo (quadriceps) - Oladipo has started to get in some reps with the Heat’s G-League affiliate, so he could be close too. That being said, the Heat have a ton of guys that have proven themselves this season and Dipo will be brought along very slowly, so I don’t think he’ll be helpful this season. Plus, he’s played in just 52 games dating back to the 2019-2020 season and has only played in four games for the Heat, so he isn’t the most durable guy.
- Derrick Rose (right ankle surgery) still not cleared for contact - Rose hasn’t played since mid-December and with him not yet being cleared for contact, he could still be a ways away. I don’t foresee the former MVP being a fantasy league winner by any means, so I’m not interested in stashing him.
- Lauri Markkanen (right ankle) - Markkanen was a surprisingly effective fantasy asset before his injury with top-75 status, and he was given a questionable tag for Cleveland’s last game before the break before being ruled out, which is a good sign. It may not be immediately, but be ready to get him out of your IL+ slots pretty soon.
- Marcus Smart (right ankle sprain) - it looked like a pretty bad sprain that Smart suffered against the 76ers this past Tuesday (February 15), but Celtics coach Ime Udoka said that it’s not serious. If we don’t see him against the Nets on Thursday, he should be ready to roll against the Pistons on Saturday.
- The Pacers - this team is banged up, with guys like T.J. Warren (left foot), T.J. McConnell (right wrist) and Ricky Rubio (left ACL surgery) either out for a long time or for the season. Big men Isaiah Jackson (right ankle) and Goga Bitadze (right foot) should be back very soon, if not immediately, with Jackson having an edge in fantasy relevance just for his ceiling alone. Malcolm Brogdon (right Achilles) has played just two games in 2022 and only 28 on the season and there’s no telling if he’s even going to play again this season, so I’m okay with cutting him for a hot free agent. Finally, Myles Turner hasn’t played since January 14, but he is targeting an early March return. His return will impact all of the Indiana bigs like Jackson, Goga and new-Pacer Jalen Smith, but I’m just waiting to see how the rotation shakes out when Turner is ready to suit up and then go from there.
- Markelle Fultz (left knee) rehabbing in G-League - Orlando is in going nowhere fast and won’t be in any hurry to bring Fultz back, and it’s not like he’s headed for a crystal clear role on this rebuilding Magic team. Jalen Suggs and Cole Anthony aren’t looking too bad at all, and if all three stay next season, the guard situation in Orlando could get tricky. We still have no timetable on RJ Hampton (left MCL sprain), so just leave him alone, and we’ve heard even less about Jonathan Isaac (left knee). They’ve been so quiet about Isaac that it seems like there’s a very small chance he suits up this season. If you drafted Isaac as a luxury stash, it definitely hurts but just know I feel your pain.
- RJ Barrett (left ankle sprain) - Barrett missed the last four games heading into the break, but Thibs said that “He’s pretty close” and “[w]e just thought it was better to rest going into the break.” He was scoring at will pre-break but on shaky percentages, but you know the deal with him.
- Cody Martin (left ankle/Achilles soreness) - Martin last appeared in a game on February 5, so he should be fine for Friday’s matchup with the Raptors, but he isn’t the best option.
- Jalen McDaniels (left ankle) - he still doesn’t have a timetable, but P.J. Washington should be a bit better for as long as McDaniels is out. There’s no need to grab McDaniels even when he returns.
- Gordon Hayward (left ankle) out indefinitely - this isn’t news, but there’s a good chance he doesn’t play again this season. Make sure P.J. Washington and Kelly Oubre are rostered, in that order.
- Grayson Allen (left hip) - he could have gone in the below section because he should be fine for Saturday’s game against the Nets, but he’s worth putting here with Pat Connaughton (right hand surgery) out for a while and in turn giving Allen some more shots. George Hill (neck soreness) hasn’t played since late January, but even if the veteran comes back anytime soon, you can safely ignore him.
Just like Tuesday morning’s Dose, I’ll quickly list some guys (in rough order of most relevant to least in terms of fantasy hoops) that only missed a game or two headed into the break and should be just fine for their first game out of the break:
- Fred VanVleet (right knee soreness, also participated in the Three-Point Contest this past weekend)
- Robert Williams (right calf tightness)
- Tyler Herro (right knee soreness)
That’s about it. We still have one more full day before NBA games start again, but they’ll be coming in bunches for this final stretch of the season. Enjoy (or at least try to enjoy )the quiet for now and I’ll be back for Monday’s Dose with analysis for all seven games.