As the days draw closer to April, it only means one thing for the NBA: the playoffs! Fantasy leagues typically have their playoffs from mid-March to early April, so while some may be in the middle of their playoffs, others are just revving up.
With the long NBA season nearly over and playoffs just over the horizon, there have been many injuries throughout the season. Having your best players sidelined can be detrimental to your team while advantageous to others. Many NBA players have been hit with the injury bug, but none more impactful than these five players and how losing them could tank your shot at a championship.
1. Julius Randle
Julius Randle has been out for quite some time, and it is unsure when he will return. Right now it's not looking so good for the New York Knicks and Fantasy owners alike. In a recent report, Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau stated that he is not ready to take contact and is working on strengthening the shoulder.
With Randle not needing surgery on the shoulder, it was likely that Randle would be back in time in a couple of weeks. However, there has been little progress in Randle's recovery, which has affected both the New York Knicks and fantasy owners. Fantasy owners expected a quick comeback for Randle, but the chances of a late-season comeback have been thrown out the window after the recent report.
In the 46 games he played this season, Randle averaged 24 points, 9.2 rebounds, five assists, and shot 47.2% from the field. Randle's appearance will be missed by owners who need a consistent shot maker and rebounder for their playoffs.
2. Brandon Ingram
Brandon Ingram has been an important part of a New Orleans Pelicans team that has been very successful throughout the regular season. In a 121 to 106 loss on March 21st to the Orlando Magic, Ingram has become victim to the injury bug late in the season. With the regular season slowly approaching, the loss of Brandon Ingram has been detrimental to the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Pelicans are at a disadvantage with Ingram out for the next two weeks, as the Pelicans are looking to keep their fifth-place spot and secure their spot in the playoffs. Since the Pelicans are only three games above the Dallas Mavericks for eighth place, they must treat every game like a playoff game and win most of their remaining schedule if they want to keep their spot in the playoffs.
Throughout the season, Ingram averaged 20.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.8 assists, shooting 49% from the field and 35.6% from the 3-point line. Ingram has played significantly well offensively, and Fantasy owners need to find a consistent shooter to find playoff success. Fantasy owners who have Ingram will struggle to find a player who can grab 20 points and shoot from nearly 50% from the field.
3. Karl Anthony-Towns
Karl Anthony-Towns has been an important piece, alongside Rudy Gobert and Anthony Edwards, in the current regular season success of the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Timberwolves currently hold the third-place spot in the Western Conference and were looking to have a successful playoff run that could see them in the second round of the playoffs at the very least.
However, those hopes may be halted after Towns suffered a torn meniscus. It was originally reported that Towns would return early in the playoffs in time for a potential Timberwolves playoff run, but the organization might have to hold onto that thought. While Towns can make it in time and recover by the middle of the playoffs, it is likely that it may not be the case.
Towns averaged 22.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, shooting 50.6% from the field, and 42.3% from the 3-point line. Players won't be able to find a big man who can shoot at around 50% from the field, shoot over 40% from the 3-point line, and grab eight rebounds per game.
4. Donovan Mitchell
Donovan Mitchell suffered a nasal fracture on March 16th during a matchup against the Houston Rockets. A report stated that Mitchell had surgery on the nose, as well as an ailing bone bruise on his knee. The Cavaliers currently sit in third place in the Eastern Conference, expecting to match up against the Indiana Pacers in the first round.
Throughout the 2023-2024 season, Mitchell averaged 27.4 points, 6.1 assists, and 5.3 rebounds, shooting 46.8% from the field and 37.3% from the 3-point line. Fantasy owners will be missing the offensive power that Mitchell brings to the table. With the loss of Mitchell, fantasy owners could miss out on potential wins, especially in offensive categories such as points and shooting percentage.
5. Joel Embiid
Injured back at the end of January, the 2023 reigning MVP has created a huge hole for the Philadelphia 76ers. Joel Embiid has been out for at least two months to treat a meniscus tear, and since then, the 76ers have had a 12-23 record. The 76ers currently hold a 39-32 record as of March 25th, sitting in the eighth seed, and could potentially face off against the Miami Heat in the 2024 play-in if they hold that 8th place spot.
Embiid has been a powerhouse for fantasy owners and the 76ers, averaging 35.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.8 blocks, and shooting 53.3% from the field. With Embiid not available for fantasy owners, they are losing out on many categories in which they can get wins, such as the points and rebounds.
While grabbing some replacement players can patch up the hole, it's clear that Embiid's impact on the floor has been very important to both fantasy owners and the Philadelphia 76ers organization.
There has been good news regarding Embiid's status within the next month. Talks within the 76ers organization have suggested that there is hope that Embiid can return in the next 2 to 3 weeks. While this is good news for the 76ers, it's unfortunate for fantasy owners, as all fantasy leagues are expected to end when the regular season ends.
