This article is part of our NBA Injury Analysis series.
The Rockets are preparing to be without Howard for a significant stretch of time, as his ailing right knee continues to be an issue. The knee was a problem earlier in the season with what was called a strain, and Howard opted to undergo a round of platelet-rich plasma injections in hopes of speeding up the recovery process. He returned after an 11-game absence but has since appeared less than 100 percent. His rebounding totals have dipped a tad and his scoring average following the initial injury has dropped three points per game.
The Rockets are currently listing Howard's injury as right knee edema, which is simply an unusual accumulation of fluid within a joint. Like back spasms, edema is not an injury, but a symptom of an underlying cause. Houston's medical staff is well aware of this and is sending their big man to an assortment of specialists to properly determine the appropriate course of treatment.
If the issue remains in his tendon, then Howard could receive another round of PRP injections. If something more significant is causing the swelling, then surgery would be a possibility, though Houston has not publicly said that is an option.
These factors create a volatile situation for fantasy owners. Holding onto Howard is difficult, as you be would forced to stomach several weeks worth of games on the hopes that the former Defensive Player of the Year can return in time for the fantasy playoffs and be effective. However, trading Howard
The Rockets are preparing to be without Howard for a significant stretch of time, as his ailing right knee continues to be an issue. The knee was a problem earlier in the season with what was called a strain, and Howard opted to undergo a round of platelet-rich plasma injections in hopes of speeding up the recovery process. He returned after an 11-game absence but has since appeared less than 100 percent. His rebounding totals have dipped a tad and his scoring average following the initial injury has dropped three points per game.
The Rockets are currently listing Howard's injury as right knee edema, which is simply an unusual accumulation of fluid within a joint. Like back spasms, edema is not an injury, but a symptom of an underlying cause. Houston's medical staff is well aware of this and is sending their big man to an assortment of specialists to properly determine the appropriate course of treatment.
If the issue remains in his tendon, then Howard could receive another round of PRP injections. If something more significant is causing the swelling, then surgery would be a possibility, though Houston has not publicly said that is an option.
These factors create a volatile situation for fantasy owners. Holding onto Howard is difficult, as you be would forced to stomach several weeks worth of games on the hopes that the former Defensive Player of the Year can return in time for the fantasy playoffs and be effective. However, trading Howard may prove difficult with his value extremely low. Given the injury woes and his negative impact on the free-throw category, the best strategy could be trading him to someone punting free-throw percentage and taking pennies on the dollar. Outright dropping him would be a less-attractive option, but word from the Rockets confirming a prolonged absence could force your hand.
In the meantime, Donatas Motiejunas becomes a viable option in most formats and gains added value in leagues where he can play center and both forward positions.
The Mavericks point guard won't play in Dallas' next three games and could miss more time after suffering a facial injury in a violent collision with teammate Richard Jefferson over the weekend. He left the court bloodied and was removed from the game.
The team revealed Monday that Rondo suffered fractures to the nasal and orbital bones of his face. The facial skeleton is comprised of 14 interconnected bones, pieced together like a jigsaw puzzle. The most commonly fractured bone in facial skeleton is the nasal bone. However, a neighboring area of the face, known as the orbit, is also vulnerable to injury. The orbit, or eye socket, is made up of bones from both the neurocranium and the facial skeleton, and includes the upper jaw, frontal bone, and the cheekbone.
Fractures to the area generally occur following direct contact, particularly the vulnerable orbital floor. The severity of the fracture depends on multiple factors including the size of the break, whether or not the affected bone or bones are displaced, and any associated soft tissue and muscle damage. Surgery is often warranted if the involved bone or bones displaces or significant damage to the eye has occurred.
Recovery time for recent NBA players who suffer significant facial fractures appears directly connected to whether or not surgical intervention was necessary. On average, the nine players to suffer facial fractures and avoid surgery were back in just under two games. By contrast, the nine recent players that went under the knife following a facial fracture missed an average of 12.7 games.
It has yet to be determined whether or not Rondo will need surgery to fix his injuries. By describing the damage as an orbital fracture, and considering he also broke his nose, it seems likely that the floor of the eye socket (a possible combination of the maxilla and zygomatic bones) near the nasal region is the area of concern. Expect the Mavs to provide an update later in the week after consulting with various specialists.
Raymond Felton is currently listed as the starter for Dallas, with Devin Harris and J.J. Barea remaining a part of the second unit. Felton and Harris could warrant a look if you are struggling in the point guard categories, though Harris should continue to see the bulk of the minutes.
Fast Breaks
The Celtics have a favorable schedule this week but could be without Bradley after he aggravated a lingering thumb injury Sunday. He later revealed he's dealing with a tiny fracture in addition to his thumb sprain. It sounds like he has suffered a small avulsion fracture, though it is an injury he can play through. Consider him day-to-day, but the fact that he returned in the loss to Miami should be taken as a good sign.
The Pelicans should get Davis back Monday after he missed one game with a minor leg strain. The official diagnosis was a Grade 1 adductor (groin) strain and appears to be a minor issue. Start him with confidence this week.
Deng will return this week after missing three consecutive games with calf soreness. Fantasy owners should plug him back into their lineup, especially when you consider teammate Dwyane Wade is expected to miss the next few weeks with a hamstring injury.
Harden briefly left the court Saturday with a non-contact knee injury. Fortunately, he was able to return to the game and has since been diagnosed with a left knee contusion. Harden was able to play through a similar injury earlier this year and it doesn't appear he will miss any games.
The Blazers' big man recently told reporters he feels he is able to play, but the decision isn't up to him. Lopez has not played since breaking the third and fourth metacarpals in his right hand on Dec. 15. However, this is a good sign that his return is imminent, and he is worth a speculative add even if Portland opts to rest him through the break.
Rubio is expected back Monday, 42 games after severely spraining his ankle and tearing a tendon in his foot. His minutes will be restricted through the All-Star break and fantasy owners will want to exhibit patience, as he may need several weeks to get back up to speed. Zach LaVine and Mo Williams will drop back down the depth chart.
The red-hot Hawks will have to continue their impressive streak without the bench contributions of Sefolosha. The Swiss swingman suffered a significant calf strain and is expected to miss six-to-eight weeks. Sefolosha suffered a similar injury to his opposite calf last season and missed 17 games recovering. The injury won't make a huge impact on the fantasy landscape but will mean extra minutes for Atlanta's starters and Kent Bazemore.
For the third time this season, Wade will miss time recovering from a hamstring strain. The All-Star guard suffered a right hamstring strain this time around and is expected to miss at least a few weeks. Wade revealed the strain occurred in the muscle belly, a small win for fantasy owners. Muscle strains heal quicker than injuries to the tendon and should help minimize Wade's time off.
