**Deni** **Avdija** popped up on the injury report as questionable to play against the Suns on Wednesday with an ankle injury. The expectations for Avdija this season are high, especially after a strong preseason. Even with all the guards that need minutes, Avdija should still be made a priority.
He’s also going to be difficult to replace. The Trail Blazers have plenty of guards and solid depth down low, but outside of Avdija and **Toumani** **Camara**, they don’t have much proven depth. If he isn’t available for the opener, first year coach Micah Nori could opt to start **Damian Lillard**, **Ja** **Morant** and **Jrue** **Holiday** together, though it would be an undersized lineup against a Suns team that has plenty of size on the perimeter. There are reports that Morant could end up coming off the bench, but that may change if Avdija is out.
The other option is turning to either **Vít** **Krejčí** or **Sidy** **Cissoko** in the starting lineup. The opportunity may be decent for either player if they get the nod, but on a day with 11 games, neither is worth streaming, especially since this could be just a one-game absence for him, if he misses time at all. The three-guard starting lineup is likely the better option and would be really intriguing to keep tabs on.
Here are the other injuries around the NBA that could alter your fantasy league’s landscape.
Nic Claxton, C, Chicago Bulls
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The most recent update on Claxton’s hamstring is that he will be re-evaluated in early November. Head coach Tiago Splitter estimated it would be another two weeks before Claxton’s re-evaluation, but he really emphasized that it was merely an estimate, and he’ll be constantly evaluated during that period. So, when will Claxton actually make his Bulls debut?
That part is unclear, but **Jalen Smith** should get at least six starts. If he’s available in your league, he’s worth streaming to start the season. **Zach Collins** (quad) and rookie **Tobe** **Awaka** (knee) are both probable for the season opener and should see the backup center minutes. Smith is the priority, but the other two are worth keeping tabs on.
Kon Knueppel, G, Charlotte Hornets
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Knueppel missed the preseason with a hamstring injury, which resulted in his ADP dropping significantly in drafts. It’s a big if, but if he’s able to return rather quickly and stay healthy throughout the year, he should be one of the best value picks in fantasy basketball. He isn’t the only Hornet dealing with an injury, as **Coby** **White** (calf) also missed the entire preseason. Both players progressed to individual on-court work, but they have been ruled out for the season opener.
**Dennis Schroder** and **Grayson Allen** should be the starters on opening night if I were guessing, with **Sion** **James** also playing a significant role. James is a solid player, but he hasn’t been a great fantasy option. Schroder and Allen are strong streaming options that could start for at least a few games, and they’re both rostered in fewer than 20 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Tobias Harris, F, San Antonio Spurs
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Harris missed the season opener against the Thunder on Tuesday with a calf injury. Now, I know everyone is hoping the three-guard starting lineup sticks in San Antonio, but maybe it won’t? Could head coach Mitch Johnson have rolled that out simply because Harris was sidelined?
We can’t say for sure, but we’ll get more clarity whenever Harris makes his debut for the Spurs, which could be on Friday against the Rockets or in Dallas on Saturday. There’s also a scenario where it’s **Devin** **Vassell** that is pushed to the bench for Harris, but I don’t find that one to be as likely.
Mitchell Robinson, C, Boston Celtics
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Robinson injured his ankle in the season-opening loss to the Pistons. He was able to finish the game, and head coach Joe Mazzulla downplayed it after the game, but Robinson was [reportedly seen with his foot in an ice bucket](https://x.com/RealBobManning/status/2112665450177781884?s=20) after the game. He played 18 minutes in the season opener, while **Neemias** **Queta** played 22 minutes off the bench and **Luka** **Garza** played eight minutes.
If Robinson didn’t get hurt, it may have been closer to a true split between Robinson and Queta, with Garza as the odd man out. If Robinson ends up missing Friday’s game against the Knicks, Queta would likely slide into the starting unit, with Garza filling out the backup minutes and **Amari** **Williams** and **Chris Cenac Jr.** available as depth options.
AJ Dybantsa, F, Washington Wizards
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Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait a little longer to see the No. 1 pick make his NBA debut. **Kyshawn** **George** was already going to start, but he will see an uptick in usage with Dybantsa sidelined due to an ankle injury.
As far as who could slide into the starting lineup, **Tre** **Johnson**, **Bilal** **Coulibaly** and **Khris** **Middleton** are all options. Coulibaly would provide defense, Middleton is a proven scorer, and Johnson is the exciting young shooter. Johnson would be my preference for fantasy purposes. Hopefully head coach Brian Keefe will agree.
Stephen Curry, G, Golden State Warriors
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Curry tweaked his right ankle during practice on Sunday, but head coach Steve Kerr said he was able to practice on Monday, and the expectation is that he will play against the Lakers on Wednesday. He’s officially listed as probable, and with **Brandin** **Podziemski** (back) out for the opener, Curry should see plenty of usage to start the year on a high note.
Ben Simmons, F, Sacramento Kings
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Despite all the hype around Simmons’ return to the NBA, the former All-NBA forward suffered a torn Achilles in practice just a few days before he was set to make his regular season debut for the Kings. Simmons may have been an important playmaker for Sacramento this year, and, as of now, **Darius** **Acuff** **Jr.** and **Malik** **Monk** are the primary playmakers on the roster, with rookie **Emanuel** **Sharp** as another option. Monk is worth keeping an eye on.
Brandon Ingram, F, LA Clippers
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In case you missed it, Ingram underwent heel surgery in May, and while that procedure was going on, they discovered he had a partially torn Achilles. And then the Clippers still went and traded for him. It has been a crazy summer in LA, and there isn’t much clarity as to how long Ingram will be sidelined.
Until he returns, **Derrick Jones Jr.** and **Rui Hachimura** will likely be the starters in the frontcourt. Jones is a strong defensive presence, but Hachimura’s offense will be vital for the Clippers until Ingram returns.
Jimmy Butler III, F, Golden State Warriors
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In case you’re just trying to get caught up on injuries, Butler tore his ACL last January, and the expectation is that he won’t return until 2027. Until that happens, rookie **Yaxel** **Lendeborg** and **Gui** **Santos** will be the starting forwards for Golden State. Lendeborg already has a ton of hype behind him, but Santos was productive last season and could be an intriguing option to start the season.
Kristaps Porziņǵis, C, Golden State Warriors
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This is a murky situation. Porziņǵis has had numerous issues with illnesses over the last few years that have severely limited his availability. As of last week, he is out indefinitely due to an illness. There really isn’t much clarity as to how long he could be out, but until he’s back, **Draymond** **Green** will likely start at center, with **Al** **Horford** as the primary backup and **Charles** **Bassey** in the rotation as well. Bassey is intriguing, and Horford has a history of production, but Green is the only one worth rostering at this point.