Welcome to our Fantasy Basketball News Today hub, where we’ll talk about what’s important and what’s hot in the NBA right now. Each week, we’ll cover NBA injuries, news, rumors, and who to look for on the waiver wire.
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Fantasy Basketball News Today: Tuesday, November 4th
We’re two weeks into the NBA season, and the fantasy basketball landscape is already separating the sharp managers from the casual clickers.
While everyone’s obsessing over their first-round picks (looking at you, frustrated Anthony Edwards owners), the real money is being made on the waiver wire right now.
Juan Carlos Blanco will fill you in on how some of these injured stars are affecting the DFS and betting landscape, and Justin Carlucci will run down some waiver wire pickups to target.
NBA Injuries: DFS and Betting Impact
LaMelo Ball, CHA (ankle)
Ball sat out the second game of the Hornets’ back-to-back set Sunday against the Jazz due to an ankle injury, the talented but oft-injured guard’s first absence of the season.
The timing was especially unfortunate considering Ball’s body of work over the first six games – averages of 23.3 points, career-high figures of 9.8 assists and 7.8 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per contest. Ball also has been sporting a massive 30.6% usage rate, meaning any time off the floor leaves plenty of work for the rest of first unit.
In Sunday’s 126-103 thumping of the Jazz, rookie second-round pick Sion James stepped into the starting lineup and provided 15 points, five rebounds and three assists across 29 minutes, albeit on modest 12.0% usage.
Ball’s backcourt mate Collin Sexton carried a robust 26.0% usage, and although he only netted 10 points, he took on a primary distribution role and dished out a season-high 12 assists.
However, the biggest all-around beneficiary was unsurprisingly Miles Bridges, who sported a team-high 29.9% usage rate and parlayed it into a team-high 29 points.
Sexton and Bridges hold the highest usage rates – 27.6% and 26.7%, respectively – with Ball off the floor this season, but James is a player to keep an eye on as well if Ball’s absence extends into Tuesday’s game against the Pelicans.
Anthony Davis, DAL (calf):
Much like Ball, Davis is another star whose runs of stellar production are often short-circuited by the injury bug. It didn’t take long for that to come to fruition in the new season, as a calf injury has befallen AD and already cost him Saturday’s game against the Pistons in Mexico City.
Davis has also been ruled out for Monday’s matchup against the Rockets, and some reports indicate more absences could be in store.
Davis had gotten the season off to a strong start while helping the Mavericks navigate the absence of Kyrie Irving (knee), posting a 28.2% usage rate while averaging 20.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.2 blocks per contest.
In the Oct. 29 game where Davis originally suffered the injury after just seven minutes, Brandon Williams actually led the Mavericks with 32.5% usage across 22 minutes off the bench.
The fourth-year pro then repeated the feat against the Pistons with a 34.7% figure in just 17 minutes, but veteran offseason addition and Davis’ former Lakers teammate D’Angelo Russell was right behind him with 34.3% usage and a team-high 31 points in 30 minutes off the bench.
The two guards are also the season-long leaders in usage for the Mavs with Davis off the floor – Russell sets the pace with a 33.6% figure, while Williams is a close second at 30.2%.
Then, as far as a direct beneficiary in the frontcourt, Daniel Gafford, who just made his season debut in Mexico City and played 17 minutes, is a name to keep an eye on with both Davis and Dereck Lively (knee) sidelined to begin the week.
Trae Young, ATL (knee):
Young’s knee injury was a devastating development for the Hawks, who were already 2-3 when he went down. The star guard’s absence isn’t going to end anytime soon, either, as Young apparently has a four-week timetable before he’s even evaluated again.
The Hawks have already played two games without Young, taking 20- and eight-point losses to the Pacers and Cavaliers, respectively, in those contests. Nickeil Alexander-Walker has stepped in as Young’s direct replacement in the lineup and averaged 18.5 points, 4.0 assists, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.0 steals across 33 minutes per game over the first two absences.
However, in terms of usage leaders in Atlanta in that same span, Jalen Johnson leads the way with a 26.8% rate, edging the respective 25.7% and 24.4% figures held by Alexander-Walker and Kristaps Porzingis. Johnson is also the clear leader in per-36 production with 24.0 points, 13.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.0 steals in that scenario.
Alexander-Walker should continue to operate as the starting point guard as long as he’s healthy and Young remains out, while Johnson and Porzingis should enjoy particularly elevated roles and increased offensive responsibilities.
However, it’s also worth noting Young’s backcourt mate Dyson Daniels is second on the Hawks since the start of the season with a +2.32% usage-rate bump whenever Young is off the floor.
- LeBron James, LAL – back
- Anthony Edwards, MIN – hamstring
- Jalen Williams, Thunder – wrist
- Paul George, PHI – knee
- De’Aaron Fox, SAN – hamstring
- Brandon Miller, CHA – shoulder
- Coby White, CHI – calf
- Darius Garland, CLE – toe
- Walker Kessler, UTA – shoulder
- Chet Holmgren, OKC – back
Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Advice
Here’s the thing about Week 3: the smart adds are getting snatched up. If you’re not moving aggressively on these pickups, you’re falling behind. Let’s break down exactly where the value is sitting, what’s real, and what’s just noise.
Ryan Rollins (Milwaukee Bucks):
If Ryan Rollins is sitting on your waiver wire, stop reading right now and claim him.
Rollins is averaging 17.0 PPG, 3.9 RBG, and 5.7 APG. That’s not a typo—those are legitimate second-round fantasy basketball numbers from a guy rostered in less than half of leagues.
The backstory: Kevin Porter Jr. went down with an ankle injury, and Rollins seized the starting point guard spot like it was rightfully his.
He dropped 25 points in last Tuesday’s win over the Knicks, and then followed up with vs the Warriors. More importantly, he’s playing 30+ minutes every single night. Even when Porter Jr. returns (and he’s still out indefinitely), Rollins has made a legitimate case to stay in the rotation.
Quentin Grimes (Philadelphia 76ers):
Here’s what everyone’s missing about the Sixers: they’re 5-1 despite missing Paul George and Jared McCain. How? Tyrese Maxey is playing out of his mind (33.7 PPG), and Quentin Grimes is filling the stat sheet.
Last week, Grimes went for 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 13 assists in one game while shooting the lights out from the field. That’s not a guard—that’s a fantasy basketball cheat code.
The opportunity is real: Philadelphia needs secondary scoring with George out, and Grimes is getting 30+ minutes to prove himself. Even when the Sixers get healthy, his efficiency has been too good to ignore.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. (Miami Heat):
Through seven games, he’s averaging 16.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.6 assists while shooting an absurd 60% from the field. That efficiency isn’t a fluke: Miami revamped its offense this summer to increase pace and move away from the pick-and-roll, and Jaquez is thriving as a downhill scorer.
The crown jewel? Sunday’s 31-point explosion against the Lakers on 11-16 shooting (68.8%) with eight boards and four dimes in 35 minutes off the bench. That’s not just a breakout game—that’s a statement.
The concern? His three-point shooting is still sitting at 25% (just 2-for-8 on the season), so he’s living at the rim. But when you’re converting at nearly 64% from the field overall and hitting 78.6% from the charity stripe (up from 75.4% last year), you’re showing real development.
Even in a reserve role, Jaquez is logging 29.4 minutes per game and putting up second-round fantasy value. Miami’s new offensive system is giving him more opportunities to attack early in the shot clock, and his blend of power and athleticism makes him a nightmare matchup for defenders.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Atlanta Hawks):
This one’s tied directly to Trae Young’s MCL sprain. Alexander-Walker started Friday’s game against the Pacers and went for 21 points, three boards, three dimes, and two steals in 32 minutes.
NAW is currently averaging 16.9 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 3.4 APG, and 1.4 SPG. He’s seeing 30+ minutes per game. The Canadian Olympian will have a huge opportunity until Young returns.
NBA News & League Rumors
Beyond waiver pickups, here’s what matters for your fantasy teams:
The Oklahoma City Thunder are 7-0 and the only unbeaten team left. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 30+ PPG, and every Thunder player benefits from elite game scripts every night. If you roster OKC guys, start them with confidence.
The NBA Cup (Emirates NBA Cup) group play is underway, with games every Friday through November 28. Good news: All group play games count toward fantasy matchups. Bad news: Semifinals (December 13) and Championship (December 16) don’t count on Yahoo, so plan accordingly if your league counts those weeks.
Check out more of our NBA content for the 2025 season. As always, it’s 100% FREE:
