Tuesday was a brutal day for NBA injuries, as fantasy managers received word that Zion Williamson will miss at least three weeks with a hamstring strain, Marvin Bagley will be out for 6-8 weeks and Bradley Beal had an early exit in the Wizards’ loss to the Bucks.
Pelicans star Zion Williamson will be re-evaluated in three weeks with his right hamstring strain, team says.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 3, 2023
Prior to sustaining this long-term injury, Williamson was on a roll, providing elite production. Since the start of December, Zion averaged 29.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.6 blocks while shooting 63.6% from the floor and tantilizing us with windmill dunks and game-winning free throws.
What to do in the wake of his injury?
Brandon Ingram (toe) has been out since November 28, and there’s no timeline for his return. Larry Nance (shoulder, neck) has missed three straight and six of the Pelicans’ last eight contests, leaving plenty of minutes and production up for grabs in New Orleans.
Trey Murphy (57%) is currently available in 43% of Yahoo leagues, and that roster percentage should be much higher. He’s ranked 58th in per-game fantasy value on the season behind averages of 12.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.3 dimes, 1.0 steals and 2.4 triples with efficient shooting percentages from the field (48.2) and charity stripe (91.4). Make sure to get him on your fantasy team if he’s still hanging out on the waiver wire.
Naji Marshall (9%) is somehow available in over 90% of Yahoo leagues despite his strong production when given substantial minutes. In nine starts, Marshall has averaged 13.9 points, 5.7 boards, 2.9 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.6 triples while shooting 49.4% from the floor and 79.3% from the charity stripe.
“Action” Jaxson Hayes (7%): The playing time has been minimal for Hayes this season, but he’s in line for a bump in minutes moving forward due to Zion’s injury. In three games with at least 20 minutes, he’s averaged 16.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.3 dimes and 1.3 swats while shooting 81.8% from the floor.
Marvin Bagley will likely require surgery on two broken fingers in his right hand, and he’ll be out for 6-8 weeks. There aren’t as many quality replacements in Detroit as there are in New Orleans, but we can still make do with some serviceable pickups.
Detroit Pistons forward Marvin Bagley III has sustained a right-hand injury is expected to miss extended time, sources tell ESPN. Bagley III is undergoing further evaluation to determine next steps.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 3, 2023
Jalen Duren (63%): He’s ranked 92nd in per-game fantasy value over the last three weeks. In that span, he averaged 9.0 points, 11.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.7 blocks and 0.5 steals while shooting 61.2% and 70.8% from FT. Isaiah Stewart is widely rostered, but he and Duren will be the biggest beneficiaries of Bagley’s injury. Kevin Knox (0%) and Nerlens Noel (0%) could be in line for boosts, but they’re best in deep leagues. Saddiq Bey (66%) could get a bump in playing time and production, but proceed with caution on a guy whose production has been wildly up-and-down this season.
Bradley Beal returned from a three-game absence and re-injured his left hamstring, exiting the Wizards’ loss after just 13 minutes.
Bradley Beal will not return to tonight's game because of left hamstring soreness, the Wizards said.
— Josh Robbins (@JoshuaBRobbins) January 4, 2023
Rui Hachimura (45%) has been on fire lately and needs to be picked up in 12-team leagues. Corey Kispert (8%) started the second half for Beal and figures to start in his place if he misses time moving forward. He’s a better add in deeper leagues.
Four more:
Jalen Williams (41%): He’s started 11 straight and averaged 13.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.7 blocks, 1.0 triples and 2.0 turnovers while shooting 50% from the floor and 76% from the free throw line. Williams is ranked 103rd in per-game fantasy value over the last two weeks, and he went off Tuesday with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander out, going for 21 points (10-of-18 FG), six assists, three rebounds and four swipes. Make sure to pick up the rookie as his role continues to grow. He’s a priority pickup who has the upside to be a top-90 player as long as he continues to start and see minutes in the upper-20’s to lower-30’s.
TWO HUGE JALEN WILLIAMS SLAMS TO CAP 48-POINT @okcthunder THIRD QUARTER ⛈️ pic.twitter.com/uUBA1cwIzV
— NBA (@NBA) January 4, 2023
Victor Oladipo (31%): He’s averaged 19.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.0 steals and 2.5 triples across his last two contests while logging 32.5 minutes per game. He looks like the Victor Oladipo of old.
Jalen McDaniels (31%): He’s scored in double figures in each of the last four games. In that span, JDM has averaged 11.0 points, 5.8 boards, 2.0 dimes, 0.8 steals, 0.5 blocks and 1.5 triples. He’s shot efficiently, hitting 51.6% of his shots from the floor and 75.0% from the charity stripe while committing just 0.8 turnovers across 26.8 minutes. WIth Kelly Oubre and Gordon Hayward out, his role seems secure.
Walker Kessler (56%): He’s slowly overtaken Jarred Vanderbilt in Utah’s frontcourt. Here’s how he and Vendo’s numbers stack up over the last 13 games:
- Vando: 7.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.1 turnovers, 49/76 shooting splits, 24.6 minutes
- Kessler: 8.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.1 blocks, 0.7 TOs, 70/51.6 shooting splits, 23.9 minutes
Add him now for quality rebounds and elite blocks.
