Welcome one and all to the final week of the fantasy basketball regular season! There is no need to look into the rearview mirror for the playoffs as they are right on top of us! When surveying the NBA landscape, there are quite a few players that are currently injured or not healthy. Further, many of them are star players. These guys are sure to make an impact on fantasy rosters, whether they are in the lineup or not. Of course, it is critical to know these player’s situations, so decisions can be made. Look no further as I present this fantasy basketball injury updates.

Victor Oladipo, SG, Miami Heat

Not surprisingly, the news that Victor Oladipo would make his season debut Monday was met with enthusiasm by the media and players alike. Frankly, Oladipo has battled injuries for so long that just being healthy is great news for him and the entire league. The reason for the celebration of his return is that over the past four years, Oladipo has played in a total of only 88 games.

Because of that fact alone, expect Miami to use kid gloves in the number of minutes Oladipo plays the rest of the way. Of course, that being the case, do not expect world class statistics and sky-high fantasy numbers from him for the remainder of the season or into the fantasy playoffs.

Bottom Line: Clearly, it is great to see a quality player like Oladipo back on the court. However, it is unreasonable to expect him to provide fantasy relevant numbers any time soon. He is universally on the waiver wire and that is where he needs to stay until proven otherwise.

Draymond Green, PF, Golden State Warriors

Unquestionably, the player not currently on the court that fantasy managers are primarily concerned about is Draymond Green. His back injury has kept Green out of the Warriors’ lineup since January 5. While Green has made statements to the effect his progress has been tremendous, he remains without a concrete return timetable.

Further, at the All-Star game, Green said he should be back in three or four weeks. No one knows if that is accurate or not, but if true, that would make his return mid-March.

Bottom Line: Clearly, Green is an all-everything player and is far too valuable to keep him on the roster, especially since his return should come in the middle of the fantasy playoffs. Without doubt, the Warriors need Green on the court, given their play of late. Indeed, his fantasy team needs him, as well. The smart play on this fantasy basketball injury updates edition is to keep him in the IL spot until he is back.

Zion Williamson, PF, New Orleans Pelicans

Unfortunately, for those that took a chance and drafted Zion Williamson, he has been sidelined the entire season. A well-chronicled foot problem has been the cause of his disappearance. As of Wednesday, Williamson has demonstrated improved healing. In addition, he should progress gradually to full exercise and basketball activities.

While that sounds great for Williamson personally, it isn’t positive news for any manager still hanging onto to the hope he makes it back onto the court before the fantasy season is over. That is looking less and less likely to happen by the day.

Bottom Line: Other than in dynasty, there is little reason to hold onto Williamson. It will certainly hurt to drop someone drafted as high as he was. However, that is the correct course of action.

Josh Giddey, PG/SG, Oklahoma City Thunder

Without doubt, it is truly unfortunate when someone is playing extremely well, only to fall to the injury bug. Such is the case with Josh Giddey. After putting up 15 points, nine rebounds and six assists against Phoenix February 24, Giddey has been sidelined by a hip problem. He has missed four straight since the injury. According to the head coach, Giddey’s return is unknown, and he is “not day to day.”

This injury couldn’t come at a worse time for Giddey and his managers. Before the Suns, Giddey put up a triple double in three straight games. Additionally, Giddey had scored more than 33 fantasy points in eight of his last 10 games. At this point, everyone is simply waiting to hear anything about a return date.

Bottom Line: Until more information on the injury is known, it would be wise to simply place Giddey into an IL spot, if open. If not, deciding what to do could be difficult. If a manager has the ability to hold Giddey on the bench, that would be the move, given how brilliantly he was playing. The very last option should be dropping him to the wire.

Norman Powell, SG/SF, Los Angeles Clippers

Once thought to be one of the highlights of the trade deadline deals, injury has kept Norman Powell sidelined. Shortly after the trade, it was reported that Powell had a fracture in his left foot.

Ultimately, Powell was shut down by Los Angeles and he hasn’t made an appearance in a Clippers’ uniform since the deal. Worst of all, there has been no news regarding his situation from the team or Powell since the issue was first reported February 13.

Bottom Line: It has often been said that no news is good news. However, that statement does not apply here. The best course of action for fantasy managers is to cut Powell lose. It is fine to monitor his progress, if any, until his return. Other than that, the truth is that Powell has no place on a fantasy roster at this point. Without doubt, that is the final judgement for him on this fantasy basketball injury updates edition.

Brook Lopez, C, Milwaukee Bucks

Since playing 28 minutes in the season opener, Brook Lopez hasn’t made an appearance in any game this season. A back injury that required surgery was the cause of Lopez’ absence. However, it was reported just this past Friday that Lopez will start five-on-five contact and scrimmaging.

While that is encouraging, there is no set return date. Even when he does get back on the court, Lopez will most likely have a minute’s limit on his play. With Lopez’ injury in mind, Milwaukee shored up their front court before the trade deadline. Once Lopez does return, whenever that is, he will likely be used for depth and not receive significant minutes.

Bottom Line: There is no upside to Lopez at this point and there won’t be when he is finally on the court, either. Leave him on the wire.

Jamal Murray, PG/SG, Denver Nuggets

Undoubtedly, the good news regarding Jamal Murray is that Denver expects him to return to the court this season. Unfortunately, however, the bad news for fantasy managers is that Murray isn’t expected back before the playoffs begin. That’s the real-world NBA playoffs, not those in the fantasy realm. The fact is that Murray has been down since tearing his left knee ACL last April.

Truthfully, the recovery from that kind of injury is hard to predict. The Denver medical staff have been encouraged so far by Murray’s progress. Still, while great news for the Nuggets and Murray, it does nothing for fantasy managers. There is no clear date set for a return.

Bottom Line: There is zero need to add Murray to a roster right now, even if an IL spot is open. There is far too much uncertainty to make any move on him worthwhile. This fantasy basketball injury updates edition only has one play currently for Murray, and that is to ship him to the wire, if not there already.

Fred VanVleet, SG/PG, Toronto Raptors

Clearly, among the most recently injured players, Fred VanVleet bears close watching as the fantasy playoffs approach. One of the best players in the game, VanVleet has now missed four straight games as of this writing due to a knee issue. That is absolute unfortunate news for VanVleet’s fantasy managers. Just look as his most recent game against Atlanta. When doing so, it is clear the kind of production missing whenever VanVleet is not on the court.

Against the Hawks, VanVleet posted 24 points and nine assists in 35 minutes. Best of all, he put up 44 fantasy points. It also was the eighth time in nine February games he has scored at least 32 fantasy points in a game. VanVleet is traveling with Toronto on their current five-game road trip but is without a return date at present.

Bottom Line: until more information is known regarding VanVleet’s injury status, a manager has no choice but to leave him on the roster. If an IL spot, is open, place him there. If not, he will simply have to ride the fantasy bench. He is far too valuable a fantasy asset to make any other decision.

Players with no return timetable:

Paul George, SF/SG, Los Angeles Clippers, Gordon Hayward, SF, Charlotte Hornets, Ben Simmons, PG, Brooklyn Nets and Eric Bledsoe, PG/SG, Portland Trail Blazers

Thank you for joining me for this fantasy basketball injury updates edition! As always, I welcome suggestions, questions and input from all of my readers. Follow me on twitter @kevin62wilsea. Please feel free to share this article. Be sure to turn to Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Fantasy Sports & Picks for all the latest MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL happenings and all the sports news!