2026-27 Fantasy Basketball: Kyrie Irving, Tyrese Haliburton among big names returning from injury

· Yahoo Sports

Injuries are a part of the NBA and fantasy basketball, and the 2025-26 season saw a number of notable players miss extended time.

Visit fishroad-app.com for more information.

Here are the Top-12 players returning from injuries and what to expect from them in the upcoming campaign.

1. Kyrie Irving (G - DAL) | 2025-26 Games Missed: 82 | Injury: ACL | 2026-27 Availability: Full Go

Prior to his injury, Irving posted nine straight Top-20 fantasy seasons, but availability has been a concern of his for years. The star PG hasn’t played more than 60 games in a single season since the 2018-19 campaign, and this latest severe injury could further hamper his ability to stay on the court.

The last time Irving was on the court, the Mavericks had recently traded Luka Doncic to the Lakers for Anthony Davis, and Cooper Flagg hadn’t been drafted. Irving comes back to an entirely new situation, and while Flagg will certainly siphon off some usage, Irving should play a prominent role on a team missing a secondary scorer and playmaker.

Irving has thrived with star running mates, doing so with Doncic and LeBron James, so there’s no reason to worry about his per-game outlook alongside Flagg. Just keep his injury history in mind when deciding where to draft him.

2. Tyrese Haliburton (G - IND) | 2025-26 Games Missed: 82 | Injury: Achilles | 2026-27 Availability: Full Go

Hali heartbreakingly tore his Achilles in the first quarter of Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, and he sat out all of last season to recover. Prior to his injury, he strung together three straight Top-14 fantasy finishes, finishing no lower than 22nd in 8-cat rankings since arriving in Indiana.

Per Haliburton, he’ll be a full go to open the 2026-27 campaign, and his role should remain unchanged as Indiana’s floor general. Haliburton is a reliable scorer, efficient shooter and capable defender who does a little bit of everything in the box score. He’s absolutely still got first-round upside.

3. Damian Lillard (G - POR) | 2025-26 Games Missed: 82 | Injury: Achilles | 2026-27 Availability: Full Go

He missed 112 games across his last four seasons before sustaining the Achilles injury, but the questions surrounding the 36-year-old aren’t limited to health. The last time Lillard was on the court, he was the 1B to Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee. Now, it’s unclear what his role will be for an ascending Blazers squad.

The Trail Blazers made the playoffs last season without Lillard, led by strong efforts from Deni Avdija and Donovan Clingan and a solid supporting cast of role players. Not only will Lillard be back in action, but he’ll be joined by another guy on this list in Ja Morant. How the two will share ball-handling, playmaking and scoring responsibilities remains to be seen, and given Lillard’s age, it’s fair to tread lightly and wait until the later rounds of fantasy drafts to take him.

4. Ja Morant (G - POR) | 2025-26 Games Missed: 62 | Injury: Ankle, Calf, Elbow | 2026-27 Availability: Full Go

Morant has appeared in only 79 games across the last three seasons due to injuries and suspensions. Despite the missed time, Morant is a guy with a Top-100 floor and a Top-50 ceiling, even with numerous uncertainties surrounding his arrival in Portland.

Health and role change are baked into his early ADP, as Morant carries an eighth-round price tag. That makes him a value selection in fantasy basketball drafts given the heights he’s reached in his career. Still only 27 years old and ready for a fresh start in Portland, Morant is one of my favorite picks in the Picks 85-100 range.

5. Fred VanVleet (G - HOU) | 2025-26 Games Missed: 82 | Injury: ACL | 2026-27 Availability: Could be on Minutes Restriction to Open Season

He finished as a Top-30 option in five seasons prior to finishing 81st a season ago, but VanVleet’s days as a second or third-rounder are behind him.

With Kevin Durant in town and Amen Thompson signed to a monster extension, FVV will still offer appeal in assists, steals and three-pointers, but his usage will surely be down from where it was pre-injury, and playing time won’t be as plentiful with this loaded Rockets team. He’s a late-round PG with upside for big nights if Thompson or KD have to miss time, but fantasy managers should proceed with caution, as he may open the season on a minutes restriction.

6. Zach Edey (C - MEM) | 2025-26 Games Missed: 71 | Injury: Ankle | 2026-27 Availability: Still Recovering, On Track for Regular-Season Opener

In 11 games last season, Edey posted career highs across all counting stats and shooting percentages. His ability to excel in traditional big-man stats like rebounds, FG% and blocked shots affords him a sturdy floor, but his ceiling is capped.

The Grizzlies made a concerted effort to bolster their frontcourt depth, adding Isaiah Stewart and Quinten Post and drafting Cameron Boozer. Edey’s early-career injury history and additional competition for minutes makes him a risk/reward selection in fantasy drafts. Early ADP means you’ll need to spend a mid-round pick on him, but those risks paint him as more of a late-rounder.

How to Play Fantasy Basketball 2026-27: Beginner’s guide and draft tips Deciding to play fantasy basketball for the first time? Here are some tips to make it a good experience.

7. Walker Kessler (C - LAL) | 2025-26 Games Missed: 77 | Injury: Shoulder | 2026-27 Availability: Full Go

Kessler has only played 63 games across the last two seasons, but he’s improved in each season since joining the league. Last season, Kessler only played a handful of games, but he showcased his multi-faceted game.

It’s a small sample size, but if last season showed anything, it’s that the big man can be more than just a rebounder and shot-blocker. He handed out a career-best three assists and knocked down 1.2 triples per contest. He’s finally out of Utah’s logjammed frontcourt and ready to take center stage as LA’s top big man. Kessler is fully healthy ahead of the season, and he makes an interesting selection in the fourth round range of fantasy drafts.

8. Dereck Lively II (C - DAL) | 2025-26 Games Missed: 75 | Injury: Foot | 2026-27 Availability: Return Timeline Unclear

He’s only played in 98 of a possible 246 games in three seasons since joining the Association, so it’s fair to be concerned about Lively II’s availability heading into Year 4.

In the smattering of games in which Lively II has played across the last three seasons, he’s only averaged 21 minutes. Daniel Gafford is still around, and Morez Johnson Jr. was drafted in the lottery, so it’s unlikely Lively II sees a boost in playing time.

Lively II is still recovering, and Masai Ujiri noted that the team will “be patient.” An unclear recovery timeline and increased competition for minutes means Lively II is not a high-upside fantasy option, and he shouldn’t be drafted outside of deep leagues.

9. Jayson Tatum (F - BOS) | 2025-26 Games Missed: 66 | Injury: Achilles | 2026-27 Availability: Full Go

He ruptured his Achilles in May of 2025 but rather than sit out the entire 2025-26 season, Tatum debuted on March 6 against Dallas. He ultimately played 16 games and finished 26th in per-game fantasy value, offering late-season magic for managers who kept him on IL.

Tatum will be full-go for the 2026-27 campaign, and with Jaylen Brown off to Philly, the former will be leaned on even more heavily. Tatum is a first-round fantasy talent, and given his quick recovery and strong play to close out his limited 2025-26 season, he’s worth grabbing with a Top-10 pick.

10. Domantas Sabonis (C - SAC) | 2025-26 Games Missed: 63 | Injury: Back, Knee | 2026-27 Availability: Full Go

He finished with his lowest points, rebounds, assists and minutes since 2018-19 when he was still with the Pacers, but his struggles were due at least in part to nagging injuries.

Sabonis was a Top-20 player in four of five seasons prior to his injury, and he led the Association with 26 triple-doubles during the 2023-24 campaign. A fully-healthy Sabonis has obvious upside due to his ability to rack up big rebound and assist totals as a center. The rebuilding Kings may trade Sabonis, and his ceiling will be measured by where he plays.

11. Dejounte Murray (G - NOP) | 2025-26 Games Missed: 68 | Injury: Achilles | 2026-27 Availability: Full Go

From 2020-21 to 2023-24, Murray averaged 20 points, 6.5 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.7 triples, finishing as a fantasy third-rounder twice and a first-rounder once.

Murray is all-systems-go for the start of the new season, and at Media Day, he expressed his excitement to get back on the court, lead and win games for the Pels. New Orleans has a deep and talented roster, but Murray should open the season as a starter. His ability to stuff the stat sheet in a number of categories gives him early-round upside, but his late sixth-round ADP makes him a tremendous value pick.

12. Giannis Antetokounmpo (F - MIA) | 2025-26 Games Missed: 46 | Injury: Achilles | 2026-27 Availability: Full Go

Giannis played his fewest games ever last season. His points, rebounds and assists were his fewest since 2017-18, and his 28.9 minutes were the second-lowest mark of his career.

After an offseason to recover and a fresh start in South Beach, the Greek Freak looks like he’s ready to make some noise for the Miami Heat. The Heat gutted its roster to acquire him, so he’ll be in a situation similar to the one he was in with the Bucks as the go-to option on a team lacking many complementary scorers.

As always, he’ll be a first-rounder, and managers drafting him should strongly consider a Punt FT% build to account for Giannis’ terrible efficiency from the charity stripe.

Read full story at source