For all of us who hoped that we were done with major injuries impacting the NBA and fantasy basketball after a rough opening week, Week 2 was disappointing. Oklahoma City saw another starter join the long list of important players sidelined for extended periods, while Minnesota and Indiana lost their respective offensive focal points to lower-body injuries. Let’s take a look back at Week 2, starting with the Timberwolves.

Five Week 2 Storylines

- Anthony Edwards to miss at least two months: Edwards’ right knee had been an issue for the star guard going back to last season’s playoffs, and he was dealing with soreness going into Monday’s game against the Cavaliers. While he managed 47 points in the overtime defeat, fantasy managers got terrible news afterward. Edwards would have to undergo an arthroscopic procedure on his knee (this occurred on Thursday) and miss at least two months.

Ayo Dosunmu has moved into the starting lineup, and as many fantasy managers hoped, his production has increased. In three starts, the Timberwolves guard has averaged 19.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.3 steals and 2.7 three-pointers, shooting 57.5 percent from the field and 100 percent from the foul line. Edwards’ absence also means the Timberwolves will need more production from Jaden McDaniels and Jonathan Kuminga, and more consistency out of LaMelo Ball.

Ball’s 24-point, seven-assist showing 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 points, 12 assists and 11 turnovers, shooting 5-of-21 from the field and 2-of-12 from three. Given Edwards’ expected return timeline, the Timberwolves can’t afford extended stretches of inconsistent production 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 started the last three games, most recently finishing an October 31 loss to the Rockets with 11 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three three-pointers. In those starts, he’s played 24, 17 and 21 minutes, so the fantasy upside may be limited.

Holmgren’s absence also means the Thunder will need more production from rookie Aday Mara. Over the last three games, he has averaged 8.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.7 blocks per game, shooting 52.9 percent from the field and 85.7 percent from the foul line. Williams may bring three-point production, but Mara is the better option for managers who need rebounds and blocks.

One question is how the absences will affect Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, since there are fewer proven scorers around him. He’s shot 49.1 percent from the field over the last three games, averaging 24.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.7 three-pointers per game during this stretch. While he should remain one of the top players in fantasy basketball, his efficiency could take a hit due to the absences of Holmgren, J-Dub, and Wallace.

- Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton suffers a strained hamstring: After missing the entire 2025-26 season rehabbing from a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, Haliburton got off to an excellent start this season. Unfortunately, he’s joined the long list of injured stars, as a hamstring strain suffered during Monday’s loss to the Bucks has sidelined Haliburton for an undetermined amount of time.

Andrew Nembhard, who has been dealing with a sore neck, has become the lone point guard in the Pacers’ starting 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 points and 23 assists while committing six turnovers. Most fantasy managers will take that production from Nembhard, especially with him shooting 47.5 percent from the field this season.

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

- Ja Morant expected to miss at least four weeks: Morant’s start with the Trail Blazers was going smoothly until he suffered a strained hamstring during Thursday’s loss to the Grizzlies. He’s expected to miss at least four weeks with what was determined to be a Grade 2 strain. Scoot Henderson started Saturday’s win over the Jazz, finishing with 14 points, three rebounds, one assist, three steals and one three-pointer, shooting 4-of-11 from the field and committing four turnovers.

Efficiency has long been a concern regarding Henderson, but the opportunity to start makes him an intriguing option for fantasy managers needing to account for Morant’s injury. That said, this injury also means more will be asked of Damian Lillard and Deni Avdija, both of whom are already rostered in over 96 percent of Yahoo leagues. Jrue Holiday recorded a solid stat line against the Jazz and is still available in some 12-team leagues. He played 22 minutes on Saturday, with his time limited 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 deals with a knee issue. The Raptors announced on October 29 that he’s expected to miss 3-4 weeks, opening a spot in the starting lineup for Ja’Kobe Walter. After scoring 22 points against Minnesota, he totaled 23 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two steals and six three-pointers in two games against the Magic.

Also of note was Scottie Barnes’ play after going scoreless on 0-of-12 shooting against Minnesota. Against the Magic, he attempted 51 shots in the two games (making 30) and totaled 69 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists, five 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 point this season when the Pelicans hand Jeremiah Fears the keys: The Pelicans began the season starting Fears and Dejounte Murray alongside each other, which likely played a role in the second-year guard’s limited production in the first four games. Fears averaged just 9.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.8 three-pointers per game while shooting 31.1 percent from the field. Murray has missed the last two games for personal reasons, and Fears’ numbers have skyrocketed.

His averages in wins over the Kings and Hawks: 21.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 10.0 assists, 1.5 steals, 2.0 blocks and 2.0 three-pointers, shooting 64.3% from the field. With Murray in the final guaranteed year of his current contract (he has a player option for 2027-28 worth just over $30.7 million), will there come a point when the Pelicans simply 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 opportunity to prove themselves would be a priority. We’ll see, but the front office must have been thrilled with what they saw from Fears in the last two 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 games, the rookie averaged 18.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists while shooting 13-of-23 from the field. Dybantsa played 27 minutes against Cleveland and 29 against Charlotte, with the Wizards taking a measured approach to his playing time. AJ’s return pushed Bilal Coulibaly to the bench, and after scoring 17 points against the Cavaliers, he scored just one against the Hornets.

- Jabari Smith Jr. may be taking the next step in Houston: While solid for most of his first four NBA seasons, Smith tended to leave people wanting more, given his physical gifts. Now may be the time for the fifth-year forward, whose improved production is one reason the Rockets are 6-7. Through seven games, Smith has averaged 19.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.9 blocks and 3.0 three-pointers, shooting 48.9 percent from the field and 88% from the foul line.

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

- Spurs taking a methodical approach to Tobias Harris’ rehab: Prior to the Spurs’ Halloween night win over the Timberwolves, Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson said that the team was acting “very, very methodically” regarding Harris’ recovery from the calf strain he suffered during the preseason. The veteran forward, who agreed to a two-year deal with the Spurs in July, has no timeline for a return to the court. Will the starting lineup, which currently includes three guards (De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper), be up for discussion once Harris is healthy? We’ll see, but that doesn’t seem like something fantasy managers will need to worry about anytime soon.

- Suns plan to stick with Jalen Green as a starter: Green’s gotten off to a very slow start, averaging 11.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.0 three-pointers per game in four appearances. Phoenix dropped to 1-3 after its loss to the Nuggets on Friday, and questions arose about Green’s fit in the starting lineup after he finished with two points. However, Suns head coach Jordan Ott and guard Collin Gillespie, the logical replacement if Phoenix makes a change, both backed Green after the defeat. Keep an eye on that situation as the season progresses, especially if the Suns keep struggling.

Three Questions

1. Should fantasy managers be concerned with Nikola Jokić’s scoring average decreasing by over six points compared to last season?

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 percent 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 attempted a career-high 34 shots in the Spurs’ win over Minnesota on Halloween night. He made 17, finishing with 43 points, seven rebounds, four assists, one steal, six blocks and three three-pointers. The Timberwolves were without Rudy Gobert (back), leaving second-year center Joan Beringer to defend Wemby.

51: Heat center Bam Adebayo totaled 51 points in Miami’s last two games of the week, comfortable wins over the Hawks and Pacers. He was also responsible for 18 rebounds, six assists and six steals while shooting 19-of-30 from the field. After a rough start, the partnership between Bam and Giannis Antetokounmpo appeared to have gotten stronger in those victories.

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

Awards Section

Week 2 Team of the Week

G Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers

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

Week 3 Schedule Breakdown

Week 3 Games Played

4 Games: ATL, BKN, BOS, CLE, DAL, LAL, MIA, MIL, MIN, NOR, OKC, PHI, PHX, POR, SAC, SAS, UTA, WAS

3 Games: CHA, CHI, DEN, DET, GSW, HOU, IND, LAC, MEM, NYK, ORL, TOR

Week 3 Back-to-backs

Sunday (Week 2)-Monday: BOS, BKN, GSW, IND, LAC, LAL, ORL, TOR

Monday-Tuesday: None

Tuesday-Wednesday: None

Wednesday-Thursday: MIA, PHX

Thursday-Friday: None

Friday-Saturday: ATL, CLE, OKC, POR, SAS, WAS

Saturday-Sunday: BKN

Sunday-Monday (Week 4): DAL, DET, LAL, NOR

Week 3 Light Game Days: Tuesday (0 Games), Thursday (2)

Week 3 Busy Game Days: Monday (15 Games), Wednesday (14), Friday (9)