At this point, the best fantasy owners can do with injuries is hope they last only the course of a few days. It seems that everyone – whether MVP candidates, former All-Stars, would-be All-Stars, fantasy contributors, ball boys – can be a victim of this year’s injury plague.
So, without further ado, find out who’s on track to come back in just a matter of days and who isn’t coming off the NBA injury report for a while.
DeMarcus Cousins (ankle) – Boogie has been a force to reckon with this season, more often than not on the court. His ankle injury is bad enough to keep him out of today’s game and could do the same again on Wednesday.
Nicolas Batum (foot) – In light of Portland’s pounding at the hands of the Warriors, this has not been a good course of days for the Blazers. Batum, who has been dealing with a hand and foot injury for the better part of a few weeks, is scheduled to undergo an MRI after he lost mobility in his right foot.
Rudy Gay (Achilles) – Rudy is with the Kings today in Utah, so his return could be nigh, but there’s still no clear answer on when he’ll take to the court. He’s been an elite fantasy option since joining Sacramento.
Kemba Walker (ankle) – The surefire scorer has been walking gingerly for some days now but is still at least a week away from a return. The Bobcats and his fantasy owners are counting down the seconds.
Anderson Varejao (knee) – Though he’s sure to miss a few games with a knee contusion, it could have been far worse for the veteran big man. He, of course, missed Monday’s practice and is day-to-day until otherwise reported.
Jeff Teague (ankle) – Just when it seemed that the point guard had picked himself off the bottom end of a major slump, he gets hit with the injury plague. Teague didn’t travel with the Hawks and is probable for Wednesday’s duel.
Luol Deng (Achilles) – The NBA’s ironman will have a hard time remaining among the league’s elite workhorses with an Achilles’ ailment that just won’t recede. He missed today’s practice because of it and there’s a chance he doesn’t play tomorrow versus the Pellies.
P.J. Tucker (hand) – Some more consistency has helped Tucker climb into a fringe deep league asset. That’s why it’s fortunate for potential owners that he’s decided to play through a right hand sprain. Still, his status should be checked on for verification sake before a pickup.
