Which fantasy basketball players are reliable for the final stretch of the season?

This week, Jaren Jackson Jr. underwent surgery on his knee, which will end his season. Last week, it was revealed that Zach LaVine’s season concluded due to a hand injury. On Wednesday, Shams Charania reported that Kyrie Irving will not be returning this season from his ACL injury. Following his trade to the Wizards, it was reported that Anthony Davis is also not expected to play again this season.

The All-Star Break is generally regarded as the unofficial midpoint of the NBA season; however, it more accurately represents a two-thirds mark in the season. With less than two months remaining, teams competing for playoff spots will be focused on finishing strong to secure their positions. Conversely, teams unlikely to reach the playoffs may have different objectives as demonstrated by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s recent decision to fine two teams for resting healthy players to enhance their draft positioning. All the players mentioned above who have been reported as out for the season are veterans on teams heading toward the lottery.

From a fantasy basketball perspective, what does this indicate? Since our fantasy basketball teams rely on the availability of NBA players, it is essential to monitor factors that may influence that availability in the future. Being a veteran on a struggling team is one risk factor, while a history of injuries is another; however, there are also trends among players who are generally safer options as the season progresses.

Veteran players on teams competing for playoff spots are more likely to participate in most games. On rebuilding teams, younger players with potential, especially rookies, often receive more consistent playing time after the All-Star Break.

In this context, we will examine the league to identify some of the more reliable fantasy options as the season winds down. It is important to note that “safer” does not ensure availability, as injuries can affect any player. Nonetheless, here is a list of players expected to participate in most games as the season concludes.

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Mikal Bridges, New York Knicks: Bridges has not missed a game throughout his NBA career, maintaining an impressive streak of over 600 consecutive games. Additionally, he plays for a Knicks team that will be competing for playoff seeding and will require his contributions.

Derrick White, Boston Celtics: White has participated in at least 73 games in each of his three full seasons with the Celtics and has appeared in 52 of the 54 games this season. The Celtics are in a tight race with the Knicks for the top position in the Atlantic Division and will likely depend on White’s performance as the season progresses.

Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs: Barnes and the Spurs will be contending for seeding in the competitive Western Conference. He has played all 82 games in each of the last three seasons—two with the Kings and one with the Spurs—and has participated in all 54 games for the Spurs this season.

Nique Clifford, Sacramento Kings: Clifford is a rookie on a Kings team that has already sidelined one veteran wing for the season in LaVine. Although he averaged only 21.3 minutes per game before the All-Star Break, Clifford increased his average to 32.7 minutes per game in his last 10 games prior to the break and is expected to continue receiving significant playing time as the season concludes.

Jabari Smith Jr., Houston Rockets: Despite missing 25 games last season due to injury, that has been an exception in his career thus far. He started 79 and 76 games in his first two seasons, has started in 52 of the Rockets’ 53 games this season, and is being heavily relied upon this season for a team that is in the midst of the Western Conference playoff race.