As the NBA and fantasy basketball steam into week six, there are quite a few players that find themselves out due to various injuries or the dreaded league health and safety protocols. The sheer volume of players, many of whom are prominent stars in the league, can make an owner’s head spin. A manager may find that more than one of these players are on their team. Many leagues have an injured reserve slot added to rosters, but just as many do not. What is one to do? This fantasy basketball injury update will help make those decisions easier!

Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers

It should come as no surprise that Kawhi Leonard, as a two-time NBA champion, was playing as well as he was right from the start this season. Leonard was the second ranked small forward in fantasy, averaging 25.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.7 assists in 15 games. His field goal percentage was 50.5 and his free throw average was an unreal 90 percent.

Likewise, Paul George was playing like the all-star he is. He averaged 23.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 16 games. George was also shooting a lights out 48 percent from three and matched Leonard from the line at 90 percent. All good on the court and in fantasy for both, no?

Unfortunately, that changed quickly with the news that Leonard and George did not join the team as the Clippers began a six game trip Tuesday. The reason they are out is they are in the league health and safety protocols. The pair may rejoin the team sometime on the trip, but their exact return is unknown. Both are playing extremely well and could be on the court soon. Therefore, an owner can do nothing else but place them in an IR spot or stashed on the bench until further notice.

Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook, Washington Wizards

First. we start with the good news for the Wizards. After six Washington games were postponed because the team didn’t have enough healthy players, the Wizards took the floor against the Spurs Sunday. Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook were among them. Beal had his usual solid game with 31 points, seven rebounds and four assists. He is averaging a sizzling 34.5 points per game this season.

Meanwhile, Westbrook scored nine points with eight rebounds and six assists. Those totals are below his season averages of 18 points, 9.5 rebounds and 10.6 assists. As usual, that is a near triple-double pace. Both should be in the Washington lineup going forward, as they were Tuesday against Houston, and they each can be started with confidence.

Thomas Bryant and Davis Bertans, Washington Wizards

Unlike above, however, the news isn’t nearly so bright for these pair of Wizard teammates, especially for Thomas Bryant. It is reported that Bryant partially tore the ACL in his left knee and will miss the remainder of the season. That is truly unfortunate for Bryant and his fantasy owners as he was averaging 14.3 points and 6.1 rebounds on the season. As he is out for the rest of the year, owners need to drop him to the waiver wire immediately, if not already done so.

The news is not nearly as dire for Davis Bertans. He remains out in the health and safety protocols with no known return to action date as of this writing. Bertans is averaging 11.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists in eight games. Those stats aren’t nearly enough to earn him a roster spot in even the largest of leagues and he should be dropped and a replacement found without delay.

Tyler Herro, Miami Heat

As of this moment, Tyler Herro has missed the last six games with neck spasms. His return is unknown. Herro was in the spotlight during the Heat’s run to the NBA finals in the Orlando bubble. Further, it was clear that he was a player to keep an eye on coming into the season. That certainly proved to be true as Herro averaged 17.6 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists playing over 33 minutes in his first eight games. Unfortunately, his progress was shut down over the neck issue.

Unquestionably, It is difficult to determine just what to do with Herro since it isn’t known when he will rejoin the team or even the exact extent of his injury. If the league his owner is in has an IR slot and no other injured players on the roster, simply moving him to that slot makes the most sense, If that is not an option, having him ride the bench until healthy is probably the way to go. Without doubt, Herro is one of the most interesting cases on this fantasy basketball injury update edition.

Al Horford, Oklahoma City Thunder

Al Horford was previously discussed in an article as a player that should not be rostered. That point is even more evident now. Horford has missed the last six games due to the birth of a child. That is certainly great news for Horford and his family and his absence isn’t due to an injury. Even so, knowing that doesn’t help his fantasy owners.

As stated over a week ago, Horford needs to be on the wire. He is now questionable for Wednesday night’s game against Phoenix. Even when he is activated, wish Horford, his family and his newborn baby well and send him home.

Jonas Valanciunas and Brandon Clarke, Memphis Grizzlies

Like so many other players this season, Jonas Valanciunas and Brandon Clarke are affected by being forced to sit because of the league health and safety protocols. It is known that the scheduled games Monday and Wednesday are postponed. The next available game Memphis can play is on Saturday against the Spurs. Valanciunas is averaging 14.4 points and 10.4 rebounds per game, stats that are extremely valuable in fantasy. He scores 30.8 fantasy points per night and is owned in 88.5 percent of leagues.

Dropping a player with that kind of value when he will be back on the floor most likely by the weekend is not a recommended course of action. Meanwhile, Clarke is nearly as valuable with averages of 13.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 10 games. He averages 27.4 points per night in fantasy. Like Valanciunas, he possesses far too much value to drop when he will return shortly. Showing patience with both will result in rewards down the line for fantasy owners.

Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers

Unlike many players in the league, the issue with Kevin Love is injury related and has nothing to do with protocols. Love is suffering from a strain of his right calf and is not expected back until sometime in February. Even before the injury, Love began the season with averages of just 9.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists in two games. He hasn’t taken the court since December 27th.

Given his down stats and uncertain return, Love should not be rostered in 41 percent of leagues. There are plenty of other players that can give an owner more than Love will be able to provide when he returns to action. Even with an available IR slot, Love isn’t worth keeping on a roster. Send him to the curb. Today.

Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat

There could be good news soon for Jimmy Butler and his fantasy owners. Butler is expected to clear the health and safety protocols this week. The time table for his return will be determined by the conditioning of Butler once cleared. The news certainly sounds positive although, as of Monday, Butler will have missed nine straight games. It was unfortunate that Butler had the issue when he did. He will also be out Wednesday against the Nuggets as well.

Butler had just gotten his season back on track by scoring 26 points in two straight games. Those performances pushed his average to 15.8 points per game, a figure well below the 19.9 points he averaged last season. Butler hasn’t averaged less than 18.2 points the last eight season. In addition, he also grabbed 18 rebounds combined in those two games. Once back in game shape, owners will be glad they held onto Butler. He will be a valuable player on anyone’s roster.

Thanks all for joining me for this fantasy basketball injury update edition! As always, I welcome input from all of my readers. Let me know if there are any other players that you would like to see updates on. Follow me on twitter @kevin62wilsea, and be sure to turn to Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Fantasy Sports and Picks for all the latest NFL and sports news!