Injuries seem to come in bulk this season. The Magic are without their entire backcourt as well as Aaron Afflalo, the Clippers are missing their two biggest stars, the Bulls are missing two of their top producers, and the 76ers look like they will be without Thaddeus Young and Jason Richardson “for a while.” In other words, there are a lot of injury replacements to pick up this week. Let’s take a look at the slew of second-stringers worthy of an injury-replacement pickup this week.
Arron Afflalo (calf): Afflalo missed his fifth straight game Monday and is listed as questionable for Wednesday’s game against the Clippers. If Afflalo can’t go again, Moe Harkless, E’Twaun Moore and Ish Smith look to get some serious minutes with three of the Magic’s starters out.
Jameer Nelson (forearm): Nelson missed his second straight game Monday with an injured forearm but may suit up for Wednesday’s game against the Clippers. Ish Smith will start in his spot if he can’t go.
J.J. Redick (shoulder): Redick missed Monday’s game against the Sixers with a shoulder injury. The inury doesn’t seem serious so there’s a better chance of Redick suiting up for Wednesday’s game than Afflalo or Nelson.
Joakim Noah (foot): Noah has missed three consecutive games with a foot injury but could be back as soon as Thursday. Taj Gibson figures to continue playing big minutes until Noah is fully recovered.
Kirk Hinrich (elbow): Hinrich is going to be out until at least next week with an elbow injury. Nate Robinson will continue to start in the Bulls backcourt until he returns.
Blake Griffin (hamstring): Griffin was already battling an ankle injury when he strained his hamstring. He missed Monday’s game against the Wizards and is listed as day-to-day as the Clippers prepare to face the Magic on Wednesday. If Griffin can’t go, Lamar Odom figures to be the biggest beneficiary of minutes but is not a fantasy relevant player.
Chris Paul (knee): Paul missed his eighth-straight game Monday and will likely miss the rest of the week as well. There is no timetable for his return so continue to start Eric Bledsoe until Paul heals up.
Thaddeus Young (hamstring): Young left Monday’s game against the Magic with a strained hamstring and didn’t return. According to coach Doug Collins, Young “will be out a while.” Lavoy Allen replaced Young on the court and will likely get the starts while Young sits.
Jason Richardson (knee): As Richardson prepares to get a third opinion on his bum knee, Doug Collins said Richardson “will be out a while” as well. Nick Young has been terrific in his absence and should continue starting when (or if) Richardson returns.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (concussion): Kidd-Gilchrist had to be taken off the court in a stretcher after getting knocked out by a Jeff Taylor knee on Saturday. He will have to pass the NBA concussion protocol before he can return but he is traveling with the team so we remain optimistic he will return soon.
Andre Drummond (back): Drummond played just eight minutes against the Knicks on Monday after tweaking his back. He expects to be good to go by Wednesday’s game against the Nets.
Jeremy Lin (ankle): Lin is a game-time decision for Tuesday’s game against Golden State after tweaking his ankle in practice on Monday. The injury doesn’t seem too bad but Toney Douglas may get the start if Lin can’t go.
Dwight Howard (shoulder): Howard has opted against having shoulder surgery and will continue to play through his injury for the rest of the season. He has missed the last two games and is questionable for Tuesday’s game against the Nets. Either way, a chronically injured Howard does not have the same fantasy value he had earlier in the season.
Andrea Bargnani (elbow): Bargnani has been out since December 10 but is expected to play Wednesday against Boston. Prior to his injury Bargnani was averaging 16 PPG and 4 RPG.
Bradley Beal (wrist): Beal missed his fourth straight game Monday but may suit up Wednesday when the Wizards face the Knicks. Beal has had his moments this year but is only averaged just 8 PPG in the five games before he went down.
