This article is part of our NBA Injury Analysis series.
DeMarcus Cousins
Cousins has missed the team's last five games with a viral infection. Over the weekend, it was revealed Cousins' exact diagnosis is viral meningitis, a serious and relatively rare condition.
Meningitis is an infection that directly affects the central nervous system. In the condition, the meninges, the membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord, become inflamed. Meningitis can either be bacterial or viral depending on the cause of the inflammation. Fortunately for Cousins, he has contracted the less serious of the two and is not at risk for the severe side effects associated with bacterial meningitis that includes brain damage and potentially even death.
Viral meningitis is often linked to a virus with the enterovirus classification, a common family of viruses that infect millions of people annually. Other viruses, like the one that causes chicken pox or mumps, can also result in meningitis. The symptoms resulting from the infection include fever, headache, stiff neck and other muscle pain. Because Cousins' illness is viral in nature, antibiotics are not an option. Instead, Cousins was admitted to the hospital, where he likely was prescribed medication to treat the associated symptoms.
The incident is likely to leave Cousins fatigued, and the time off will affect his overall conditioning. According to reports, the Kings are hopeful he can resume basketball related activities in seven to 10 days and will monitor his status daily. Fantasy owners in weekly leagues will obviously need to bench Cousins for the upcoming week and may want to
DeMarcus Cousins
Cousins has missed the team's last five games with a viral infection. Over the weekend, it was revealed Cousins' exact diagnosis is viral meningitis, a serious and relatively rare condition.
Meningitis is an infection that directly affects the central nervous system. In the condition, the meninges, the membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord, become inflamed. Meningitis can either be bacterial or viral depending on the cause of the inflammation. Fortunately for Cousins, he has contracted the less serious of the two and is not at risk for the severe side effects associated with bacterial meningitis that includes brain damage and potentially even death.
Viral meningitis is often linked to a virus with the enterovirus classification, a common family of viruses that infect millions of people annually. Other viruses, like the one that causes chicken pox or mumps, can also result in meningitis. The symptoms resulting from the infection include fever, headache, stiff neck and other muscle pain. Because Cousins' illness is viral in nature, antibiotics are not an option. Instead, Cousins was admitted to the hospital, where he likely was prescribed medication to treat the associated symptoms.
The incident is likely to leave Cousins fatigued, and the time off will affect his overall conditioning. According to reports, the Kings are hopeful he can resume basketball related activities in seven to 10 days and will monitor his status daily. Fantasy owners in weekly leagues will obviously need to bench Cousins for the upcoming week and may want to consider doing so for the following week as well. He is going to need time to get back into playing shape and may come in underweight. Ryan Hollins remains the center in Sacramento, but his fantasy value hasn't improved despite the increase in minutes.
Brook Lopez
Lopez is expected to miss Brooklyn's next four games after sustaining a lower back strain in practice. An MRI taken over the weekend confirmed the diagnosis. While the injury is a frustrating one for fantasy owners, take solace in the fact that the injury does not involve his troublesome right foot and is the first noted back injury of his career. With the injury identified, the Nets can focus their efforts on treating the associated symptoms and fixing any biomechanical issues that may have led to the problem. Lopez should miss the minimal amount of time as long as he avoids any setbacks. Veteran Kevin Garnett could become the starting center in Brooklyn with Mirza Teletovic likely joining the starting unit.
Fast Breaks
Nicolas Batum: Batum suffered an ankle sprain Sunday in the team's win over New York. He briefly left the game but was able to finish, playing nearly 35 minutes. It doesn't look like the minor injury will sideline him this week.
Alec Burks: Conflicting reports on the status of the Jazz guard's shoulder emerged over the weekend with some saying surgery was inevitable while others saying Burks won't need to go under the knife. The only official diagnosis the Jazz have made public is left shoulder inflammation. As a result, it's hard to speculate what surgery Burks could potentially need. However, he has been cleared to return to practice, and it looks as if he will play again this season. However, the risk of aggravation lingers, and it would be unwise to overinvest in a player who makes minimal fantasy contributions.
Kevin Durant: So far so good for KD. He's played in just three games but has looked solid and been allotted a healthy dose of minutes. He's playing just under 30 minutes a game, but coach Scott Brook expects that number to rise as his minutes cap progressively is removed. Durant should continue his rise back to the top of the fantasy world as long as his surgically repaired foot remains asymptomatic.
David Lee: The Warriors have jumped to the best record in the league through the first quarter of the season with Lee a notable absence for all but one of the team's games. Lee has been out with a reoccurring hamstring issue that seems to have finally healed. The former All-Star is expected to return at some point this week, though the emergence of Draymond Green has significantly stunted his value.
Ian Mahinmi: The Pacers appeared to be rounding the corner in terms of injuries but will now be without their backup center for at least six weeks. Mahinmi tore the plantar fascia in his left foot and will spend the next few weeks resting the injury. Not an overly impactful injury but it will result in more minutes for veterans Luis Scola and David West and an increase in opportunities for Lavoy Allen.
Nate Robinson: The diminutive point guard did not play Sunday after suffering a thoracic vertebrae contusion over the weekend. The thoracic region is the second segment of the spine and each vertebrae here attaches to the ribs. An injury to the area can be quite painful, eliciting discomfort with back movement and while breathing. Robinson hasn't had the fantasy relevance in Denver that he garnered in Chicago during the 2012-3 season. Injuries have been the main culprit and this latest ailment is just another setback.
Tiago Splitter: In a somewhat surprising development, the Spurs believe Splitter could see limited minutes as early as this week. He's not worth starting this week, but if he can shake off the rust and prove this lingering calf injury is behind him, Splitter is worth a roster spot in most formats. Boris Diaw, Matt Bonner, and Aron Baynes would all see a reduction in minutes with Splitter active and healthy.
Nikola Vucevic: Orlando is anticipating their center will return to the lineup Wednesday versus the Wizards. He has missed four consecutive games with a lower back sprain. Vucevic has been a monster this season, so plug him back into your lineups even with the slight risk of reinjury.
Mo Williams: The veteran guard has already been ruled out for Monday's game against the Warriors due to lingering back spasms. Williams has missed Minnesota's last two outing dealing with the issue and remains a risky play in weekly formats. Rookie Zach LaVine will start in his absence with Corey Brewer seeing time at the point due to the team's numerous injuries.
