This article is part of our NBA Injury Analysis series.
The fantasy basketball playoffs are ruthless. Players, once considered stalwarts of a fantasy squad, quickly becoming waiver-wire fodder if an injury limits their productivity and, more importantly, their games played. Don't be sentimental this week and make sure your roster is loaded with plenty of able bodies.
Patrick Beverley, Dwight Howard, and Terrence Jones
This trio has battled injuries all season. Beverley has endured a litany of injuries including a strained hamstring, lingering soreness in his calf, multiple leg contusions, elbow bursitis and a sprained foot. However, it's the latest injury to his wrist that is threatening to end his season. Beverley is set to determine whether or not he will opt for season-ending surgery on his sprained left wrist. Although Beverley's choice will be a difficult one, fantasy owners shouldn't wrestle with their decision. A limited or sidelined Beverley won't help win a championship and other alternatives should be considered. Veteran guard Jason Terry has joined the starting lineup and is worth a look, especially when Houston's four-game schedule this week is considered.
The schedule actually limits the value of Howard, as he won't play Monday and is unlikely for Thursday, with both games coming on the second night of back-to-backs. Howard has been eased back into the rotation after missing 23 games following a bone marrow aspirate injection to address reoccurring edema in his right knee.
Howard's absence will be eased by the impending return of Jones, who has been out since March 19 with a
The fantasy basketball playoffs are ruthless. Players, once considered stalwarts of a fantasy squad, quickly becoming waiver-wire fodder if an injury limits their productivity and, more importantly, their games played. Don't be sentimental this week and make sure your roster is loaded with plenty of able bodies.
Patrick Beverley, Dwight Howard, and Terrence Jones
This trio has battled injuries all season. Beverley has endured a litany of injuries including a strained hamstring, lingering soreness in his calf, multiple leg contusions, elbow bursitis and a sprained foot. However, it's the latest injury to his wrist that is threatening to end his season. Beverley is set to determine whether or not he will opt for season-ending surgery on his sprained left wrist. Although Beverley's choice will be a difficult one, fantasy owners shouldn't wrestle with their decision. A limited or sidelined Beverley won't help win a championship and other alternatives should be considered. Veteran guard Jason Terry has joined the starting lineup and is worth a look, especially when Houston's four-game schedule this week is considered.
The schedule actually limits the value of Howard, as he won't play Monday and is unlikely for Thursday, with both games coming on the second night of back-to-backs. Howard has been eased back into the rotation after missing 23 games following a bone marrow aspirate injection to address reoccurring edema in his right knee.
Howard's absence will be eased by the impending return of Jones, who has been out since March 19 with a collapsed lung, but has progressed through recovery. However, the nature of the injury will negatively affect his conditioning and it wouldn't be surprising to see him under a minutes limitation when he returns. When exactly that will be is also a bit of a mystery as the Rockets would like Jones to participate in a practice or two before he re-joins the active roster. With Howard and Jones likely to yo-yo in-and-out of the lineup, and Donatas Motiejunas out with lower back pain, Josh Smith and Joey Dorsey becoming fantasy relevant.
Monta Ellis
The Mavericks' guard snapped his streak of 237 consecutive games played over the weekend following a collision with San Antonio's Manu Ginobili. The impact left Ellis with a right calf injury that held him out of Sunday's loss to the Pacers. Calf injuries are typically fickle injuries. The muscle itself is necessary for explosive lower leg movements and affects the knee, ankle and hip. Furthermore, the lower leg below the knee is divided into compartments. When one of the muscles is impacted, the resulting swelling can cause issues with the neighboring nerves and blood vessels. While Ellis has shown no signs of outright compartment syndrome, managing the associated swelling remains a primary focus of recovery. Dallas plays just three games in the upcoming week and it certainly sounds as if the team is preparing to play without Ellis for at least one more outing. With J.J. Barea nursing a sprained ankle, reserve guard Devin Harris becomes a potential streaming option and Chandler Parsons' value increases.
Hassan Whiteside
Whiteside took the fantasy world by storm in the early months of 2015 but an injury has kept him out of the lineup when it matters most. He cut his left hand on the rim and required 10 stitches to close a laceration between his middle and ring finger. This type of injury isn't as uncommon as you would think, with Wizards forward Kris Humphries missing nearly a month during the preseason after slicing his right pinkie on the rim. Humphries' injury was more extensive, as he required surgery to help with associated nerve damage. Still, Whiteside continues to battle pain at the injury site and is unable to cleanly catch a basketball. He attempted to workout prior to Sunday's game but the necessary padding was too awkward. Even if Whiteside does join the active roster, it would be wise to anticipate a dip in productivity as he adjusts to the brace and playing with and through the injury.
Fast Breaks
Brandon Knight
The Suns' medical staff is the best in the NBA but even the best preventative care doesn't guarantee an injury-free season. Knight, who missed eight games with a sprained ankle, tweaked the joint in his return on Sunday. As a result, he's a question mark for Monday and may miss additional time. Phoenix's dip in the standings could influence the situation if they are mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.
Kevin Love
The Cavaliers' forward walked gingerly off the court Sunday after irritating a lower-back issue that has bothered him all season. Cleveland only plays twice this week, making him a risky option even with the team stating that they are optimistic the extended time off will help the situation.
Greg Monroe
Monroe has missed seven straight games with a strained knee and it doesn't appear he will be back to start the week. The Pistons play four games but do so in a pair of back-to-backs. Even if he does play by midweek, don't be surprised to see him rested.
Ricky Rubio
The Timberwolves, beset by injuries recently, may catch a break with Rubio expected back Monday. However, it seems likely that hea coach Flip Saunders will restrict his minutes in his first few games back. Tread carefully here as the other injuries plaguing Minnesota may have a trickle-down effect on Rubio as well.
Alexey Shved
While Shved was a surprisingly solid fantasy option for the past few weeks, an incomplete rib fracture has effectively ended his season. With Jose Calderon not expected to return after undergoing a PRP injection on his troublesome Achilles, Langston Galloway and Shane Larkin become the starting backcourt in New York. Neither player is overly intriguing but will put up statistics simply by default.
Jeff Teague
The Hawks have been the elite team in the Eastern conference. Unfortunately, that success works against fantasy owners, as they will be able to rest their key players with the top seed in the East secured. Teague, who is also nursing a sprained left ankle, seems the most likely to see regular rest down the stretch. Al Horford, Kyle Korver, DeMarre Carroll and Paul Millsap were also rested over the weekend, though they all appear healthy.
