Week 2 Aftermath: Anthony Edwards, Kawhi Leonard and others be a part of the dreaded harm checklist

For all of us who hoped that we were performed with main accidents impacting the NBA and fantasy basketball after a tough opening week, Week 2 was disappointing. Oklahoma City saw another starter be a part of the long checklist of important gamers sidelined for prolonged durations, while Minnesota and Indiana lost their respective offensive focal factors to lower-body accidents. Let’s take a look back at Week 2, beginning with the Timberwolves.

Fantasy Basketball Weekend Streamers: Ja’Kobe Walter, Tristan da Silva starring as harm replacements

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Ja’Kobe Walter and Tristan da Silva lead a group of 10 gamers price streaming this weekend.

Five Week 2 Storylines

– Anthony Edwards to miss at least two months: Edwards’ proper knee had been an situation for the star guard going back to last season’s playoffs, and he was dealing with soreness going into Monday’s sport against the Cavaliers. While he managed 47 factors in the additional time defeat, fantasy managers got horrible information afterward. Edwards would have to endure an arthroscopic process on his knee (this occurred on Thursday) and miss at least two months.

Ayo Dosunmu has moved into the beginning lineup, and as many fantasy managers hoped, his manufacturing has elevated. In three begins, the Timberwolves guard has averaged 19.7 factors, 6.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.3 steals and 2.7 three-pointers, capturing 57.5 p.c from the discipline and 100% from the foul line. Edwards’ absence also means the Timberwolves will need more manufacturing from Jaden McDaniels and Jonathan Kuminga, and more consistency out of LaMelo Ball.

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Ball’s 24-point, seven-assist displaying in an October 30 win over the Clippers was sandwiched in between disappointing outings against the Warriors and Spurs. In those defeats, Ball totaled 18 factors, 12 assists and 11 turnovers, capturing 5-of-21 from the discipline and 2-of-12 from three. Given Edwards’ expected return timeline, the Timberwolves can’t afford prolonged stretches of inconsistent manufacturing from Ball.

– Thunder lose Chet Holmgren for at least 8-10 weeks: Already without Jalen Williams (ankle/fibula) and Cason Wallace (shoulder), the Thunder lost Holmgren to a partially torn patellar tendon. He’ll be out for at least 8-10 weeks, leaving Oklahoma City down three starters. Kenrich Williams has began the last three video games, most lately ending an October 31 loss to the Rockets with 11 factors, seven rebounds, three assists and three three-pointers. In those begins, he’s performed 24, 17 and 21 minutes, so the fantasy upside may be restricted.

Holmgren’s absence also means the Thunder will need more manufacturing from rookie Aday Mara. Over the last three video games, he has averaged 8.0 factors, 7.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.7 blocks per sport, capturing 52.9 p.c from the discipline and 85.7 p.c from the foul line. Williams may convey three-point manufacturing, but Mara is the higher option for managers who need rebounds and blocks.

One query is how the absences will have an effect on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, since there are fewer confirmed scorers around him. He’s shot 49.1 p.c from the discipline over the last three video games, averaging 24.3 factors, 4.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.7 three-pointers per sport during this stretch. While he should stay one of the prime gamers in fantasy basketball, his effectivity could take a hit due to the absences of Holmgren, J-Dub, and Wallace.

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– Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton suffers a strained hamstring: After lacking the total 2025-26 season rehabbing from a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, Haliburton got off to an wonderful begin this season. Unfortunately, he’s joined the long checklist of injured stars, as a hamstring pressure suffered during Monday’s loss to the Bucks has sidelined Haliburton for an undetermined quantity of time.

Andrew Nembhard, who has been dealing with a sore neck, has become the lone level guard in the Pacers’ beginning lineup, while Kelly Oubre Jr. has been the fifth starter. He shot 13-of-32 in losses to the 76ers and Heat, but Nembhard totaled 40 factors and 23 assists while committing six turnovers. Most fantasy managers will take that manufacturing from Nembhard, particularly with him capturing 47.5 p.c from the discipline this season.

Indiana has also been without beginning heart Ivica Zubac, who sprained his ankle on October 25 against the Nets. Jay Huff has began each of the last three video games, totaling 22 factors, 13 rebounds and 4 three-pointers. However, he has not recorded a steal or blocked shot in those begins. As long as he’s healthy, Obi Toppin may be a higher streaming option than Huff despite coming off the bench. Toppin did not play against the Heat on Friday, but he totaled 27 factors, 12 rebounds, and three three-pointers in Indiana’s first two video games of the week.

– Ja Morant expected to miss at least 4 weeks: Morant’s begin with the Trail Blazers was going easily until he suffered a strained hamstring during Thursday’s loss to the Grizzlies. He’s expected to miss at least 4 weeks with what was decided to be a Grade 2 pressure. Scoot Henderson began Saturday’s win over the Jazz, ending with 14 factors, three rebounds, one help, three steals and one three-pointer, capturing 4-of-11 from the discipline and committing 4 turnovers.

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Efficiency has long been a concern regarding Henderson, but the alternative to begin makes him an intriguing option for fantasy managers needing to account for Morant’s harm. That said, this harm also means more will be requested of Damian Lillard and Deni Avdija, both of whom are already rostered in over 96 p.c of Yahoo leagues. Jrue Holiday recorded a stable stat line against the Jazz and is still obtainable in some 12-team leagues. He performed 22 minutes on Saturday, with his time restricted by Portland’s 22-point win.

– Kawhi Leonard expected to miss 3-4 weeks: Leonard has been out since Toronto’s October 25 loss to the Timberwolves, and he’s going to be out for a while longer as he offers with a knee situation. The Raptors announced on October 29 that he’s expected to miss 3-4 weeks, opening a spot in the beginning lineup for Ja’Kobe Walter. After scoring 22 factors against Minnesota, he totaled 23 factors, eight rebounds, three assists, two steals and six three-pointers in two video games against the Magic.

Also of observe was Scottie Barnes‘ play after going scoreless on 0-of-12 capturing against Minnesota. Against the Magic, he tried 51 photographs in the two video games (making 30) and totaled 69 factors, 11 rebounds, 9 assists, 5 steals and two blocks. While Walter has become a worthy streamer while Leonard sits, fantasy managers who are rostering Barnes may benefit.

Five More Storylines

– Will there come a level this season when the Pelicans hand Jeremiah Fears the keys: The Pelicans started the season beginning Fears and Dejounte Murray alongside each other, which seemingly performed a function in the second-year guard’s restricted manufacturing in the first 4 video games. Fears averaged just 9.0 factors, 3.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.8 three-pointers per sport while capturing 31.1 p.c from the discipline. Murray has missed the last two video games for personal causes, and Fears’ numbers have skyrocketed.

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His averages in wins over the Kings and Hawks: 21.0 factors, 6.5 rebounds, 10.0 assists, 1.5 steals, 2.0 blocks and 2.0 three-pointers, capturing 64.3% from the discipline. With Murray in the remaining assured yr of his present contract (he has a participant option for 2027-28 price just over $30.7 million), will there come a level when the Pelicans merely hand Fears the keys to the offense? He and Derik Queen were the franchise’s two 2025 first-round picks, and you would assume giving them every alternative to show themselves would be a precedence. We’ll see, but the entrance workplace must have been thrilled with what they saw from Fears in the last two video games.

– AJ Dybantsa makes his official Wizards debut: Back from a sprained ankle suffered during the Wizards’ preseason finale, Dybantsa debuted as a starter in Wednesday’s loss to the Cavaliers. In two video games, the rookie averaged 18.0 factors, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists while capturing 13-of-23 from the discipline. Dybantsa performed 27 minutes against Cleveland and 29 against Charlotte, with the Wizards taking a measured method to his taking part in time. AJ’s return pushed Bilal Coulibaly to the bench, and after scoring 17 factors against the Cavaliers, he scored just one against the Hornets.

– Jabari Smith Jr. may be taking the next step in Houston: While stable for most of his first 4 NBA seasons, Smith tended to depart people wanting more, given his bodily items. Now may be the time for the fifth-year ahead, whose improved manufacturing is one purpose the Rockets are 6-7. Through seven video games, Smith has averaged 19.0 factors, 5.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.9 blocks and 3.0 three-pointers, capturing 48.9 p.c from the discipline and 88% from the foul line.

While his rebounding has dipped, Smith’s scoring is up more than three factors per sport, and the assists and three-pointers would also be career-best averages if they held. Most lately, he recorded 30 factors, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, one block and six three-pointers in Saturday’s win over the Thunder.

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– Spurs taking a methodical method to Tobias Harris’ rehab: Prior to the Spurs’ Halloween evening win over the Timberwolves, Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson said that the group was performing “very, very methodically” regarding Harris’ restoration from the calf pressure he suffered during the preseason. The veteran ahead, who agreed to a two-year deal with the Spurs in July, has no timeline for a return to the court. Will the beginning lineup, which at the moment consists of three guards (De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper), be up for dialogue once Harris is healthy? We’ll see, but that would not appear like something fantasy managers will need to fear about anytime soon.

– Suns plan to stick with Jalen Green as a starter: Green’s gotten off to a very gradual begin, averaging 11.0 factors, 2.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.0 three-pointers per sport in 4 appearances. Phoenix dropped to 1-3 after its loss to the Nuggets on Friday, and questions arose about Green’s match in the beginning lineup after he completed with two factors. However, Suns head coach Jordan Ott and guard Collin Gillespie, the logical substitute if Phoenix makes a change, both backed Green after the defeat. Keep an eye on that state of affairs as the season progresses, particularly if the Suns keep struggling.

Three Questions

1. Should fantasy managers be involved with Nikola Jokić’s scoring average lowering by over six factors in contrast to last season?

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2. Will the Thunder look to use some of their draft capital to strengthen the roster?

3. Can the Grizzlies get to 9-0?

Early Waivers Look (Players rostered in less than 50 p.c of Yahoo leagues)

G: Christian Braun (Denver Nuggets, 47%); Collin Gillespie (Phoenix Suns, 40%); Ja’Kobe Walter (Toronto Raptors, 39%); Anfernee Simons (Philadelphia 76ers, 18%)

F: Saddiq Bey (New Orleans Pelicans, 33%); Pelle Larsson (Miami Heat, 32%); Derrick Jones Jr.(LA Clippers, 26%)

C: Daniel Gafford (Dallas Mavericks, 42%); Isaiah Stewart (Memphis Grizzlies, 8%)

Stats of the Week

34: Victor Wembanyama tried a career-high 34 photographs in the Spurs’ win over Minnesota on Halloween evening. He made 17, ending with 43 factors, seven rebounds, 4 assists, one steal, six blocks and three three-pointers. The Timberwolves were without Rudy Gobert (back), leaving second-year heart Joan Beringer to defend Wemby.

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51: Heat heart Bam Adebayo totaled 51 factors in Miami’s last two video games of the week, comfy wins over the Hawks and Pacers. He was also accountable for 18 rebounds, six assists and six steals while capturing 19-of-30 from the discipline. After a tough begin, the partnership between Bam and Giannis Antetokounmpo appeared to have gotten stronger in those victories.

49: Lakers star Luka Dončić has tried 49 three-pointers over his last three video games, making 20. That stretch started with a 52-point effort against the Jazz on October 25, and he’s scored at least 37 factors in all three video games. Could Luka wind up being more beneficial than SGA or Nikola Jokić this season?

Awards Section

Week 2 Team of the Week

G Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers

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G Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

F Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks

F Giannis Antetokounmpo, Miami Heat

C Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

Week 2 All-Rookie Team

G Darius Acuff Jr., Sacramento Kings

G Meleek Thomas, Cleveland Cavaliers

F Caleb Wilson, Chicago Bulls

F Cameron Boozer, Memphis Grizzlies

F AJ Dybantsa, Washington Wizards

Play of the Week: Stephen Curry drops Luka Dončić, then hits the three-pointer