Fantasy Basketball Week 4 Injury Report

The 2025-26 NBA season is young, but the injury report is already long. Few teams have been left unscathed, leaving many fantasy managers scrambling to adjust. With week four underway, here are the most significant injuries, the latest updates and the adds.

Fantasy Basketball Week 4 Injury Report

Hawks

At the beginning of November, Trae Young suffered a sprained MCL in his knee. He’s set to be re-evaluated in about three weeks. Until then, Nickeil Alexander-Walker will continue starting in his absence. He’s a solid two-way player who can score, hit threes, playmake and compile stocks. Although, the Canadian has been dealing with a back issue and is day-to-day. Zaccharie Risacher has also stepped up to provide offensive support. The sophomore’s best value comes from points, but he’s also becoming more involved as a disruptor. Both are under 35% rostered in Yahoo and are good streaming options.

Nets

Cam Thomas was diagnosed with a hamstring strain on November 7 and is set to be re-evaluated in three to four weeks. That allowed rookie Egor Demin to slide into the first unit. The 19-year-old’s best value comes from his assists, and he even provides some points, steals and threes. Despite playing a different position, Noah Clowney is also seeing more action and is upping his scoring output. He’s also flashed some defensive production.

Hornets

The injury bug is already hitting Charlotte early. Brandon Miller went down in just the second game of the season with a shoulder issue and is about a week out from re-evaluation. Kon Knueppel is starting in his absence, and he’s played a significant role offensively. The rookie is one of the best three-point shooters in his class and can also provide points, rebounds, and assists while shooting efficiently from the free-throw line.

Keeping Miller company on the sidelines lately is LaMelo Ball. Once again, his ankles are proving to be a problem. The 24-year-old missed the last four matches but recently joined the Hornets’ G League affiliate and could return soon.

Clippers

The oft-injured Kawhi Leonard is again spending time on the sidelines. He’s missed the last four games after suffering an ankle injury. While it isn’t considered serious, the team will be careful with his recovery. The 34-year-old is expected to miss the next few contests, but the players filling in for him don’t have much streaming value.

Bradley Beal has also sat out a handful of matches. His injury at least doesn’t affect managers much, as he’s a drop in fantasy basketball due to his lack of availability and poor production. Given the team’s depth, there aren’t any must-adds. However, Bogdan Bogdanovic was solid when both Leonard and Beal were out.

Bucks

After waiving Damian Lillard, Kevin Porter Jr. took over his job. He was dubbed a breakout candidate by many fantasy analysts; however, a meniscus injury put the brakes on that. The 25-year-old underwent surgery on November 3 and is expected to be out for at least a month. Milwaukee will continue rolling with Ryan Rollins at point guard. As a result, he’s enjoying a career season and is posting top-40 value in category formats. A.J. Green, Cole Anthony and Gary Trent Jr. have had their moments, but are inconsistent.

Pelicans

New Orleans’ stars are already struggling to stay on the court. Zion Williamson has been out for a week after suffering a hamstring strain. The forward/center is being listed as doubtful before matches, indicating that he’ll be ready to suit up soon. Saddiq Bey replaced Williamson in the first unit and has provided some points, rebounds and threes. Herbert Jones and Derik Queen have also been solid.

Jordan Poole‘s injury is more recent. The former Wizard was diagnosed with a quadriceps strain and will be re-evaluated in a week. He was filling in at point guard for Dejounte Murray (who is also scheduled to make his first appearance in January from an Achilles tear). Now, the Pelicans will turn to Jeremiah Fears. The rookie has already been impressive and will now have a chance to take his game up a notch. His best attributes have been scoring and playmaking.

76ers

Paul George is yet to make his season debut as he recovers from surgery on his knee, but he’s near a return. He’s set to be re-evaluated later this week and is in the final stage of his recovery. Kelly Oubre Jr. and Trendon Watford have covered for him in the meantime.

Philadelphia is also taking a careful approach with Joel Embiid. The former MVP is on a minutes restriction and has yet to reach 30 in a game. He’s also had a few absences, appearing in 6 of 11 games thus far. Embiid has been dealing with knee soreness and is considered day-to-day. The good news is that his MRI revealed no structural damage. Both Andre Drummond and Adem Bona have had heavier workloads, with the former offering better streaming value.

Suns

On Saturday, Jalen Green re-aggravated a hamstring injury that forced him to miss the first eight matches of 2025-26. He was recently diagnosed with a strain and will wear street clothes for the next four to six weeks as he awaits re-evaluation. That means Grayson Allen must step up again. He’s already having a good bounce-back year, as he’s increased his points, assists, steals and threes.

Spurs

San Antonio lost one guard to injury early in November, but at least they got back De’Aaron Fox recently. Dylan Harper is out for multiple weeks after suffering a strained calf. Stephon Castle has levelled up his game to compensate, and he’ll need to keep it up for the foreseeable future. Some of the other Spurs, like Harrison Barnes and Julian Champagnie, have taken turns posting good performances. Both are streamers, while Castle is harder to find on the waivers.

Jazz

Utah will be without Walker Kessler for the rest of the season as he’s undergoing surgery for a torn labrum in his shoulder. Jusuf Nurkic has taken over the center spot for him. While his offensive production is limited beyond assists, the big man is great for rebounds, steals and blocks. Nurkic is the primary beneficiary of Kessler’s injury, but Kyle Filipowski and Taylor Hendricks are candidates to get more usage in silly season.

Other News

• Jayson Tatum (Achilles): could return before the end of the season.
• Anthony Davis (calf): next opportunity to return is on Wednesday.
• Kyrie Irving (ACL): recovering ahead of schedule and should make season debut in early January.
• Jaden Ivey (knee): will be re-evaluated in late November.
• Tobias Harris (ankle): trending in the right direction, but has no timetable to return.
• Bennedict Mathurin (toe): week-to-week.
• LeBron James (back): cleared for contact activities.
• Zach Edey (ankle): ramping up and practicing in the G League.
• Tyler Herro (foot): ahead of schedule and could return in November.