This article is part of our NBA Injury Analysis series.
Dallas Mavericks
The Mavs entered the season with plenty of question marks about the overall health of their team, with starters Chandler Parsons (knee) and Wesley Matthews (Achilles) both working their way back from significant surgeries. The first week of the season added some insight as to how Dallas' medical team and head coach Rick Carlisle will handle both players for the early duration of the season. Matthews was available opening night and played 26 minutes before sitting out the following game against the Clippers. He was back in the lineup Sunday and once again logged 26 minutes. Expect this trend to continue for at least the next few weeks, with Matthews playing a controlled amount of minutes and resting on the second night of back-to-backs. Fortunately, Dallas has just one more back-to-back for the remainder of the calendar year, giving the team a bit of flexibility. Matthews has remained a threat from long-range, connecting on 5-of-12 attempts from behind the arc so far this season. However, his peripheral numbers remain a bit limited which isn't overly surprising as he works his way back into top form.
Parsons has a bit less leash to work with as the team has put him under a strict minutes cap. He made his season debut Sunday against the Lakers, scoring two points on 1-of-6 shooting. All 12 of his minutes came in the first half as the Mavs enforced their designed return to play protocol. The shooting numbers are to be expected given
Dallas Mavericks
The Mavs entered the season with plenty of question marks about the overall health of their team, with starters Chandler Parsons (knee) and Wesley Matthews (Achilles) both working their way back from significant surgeries. The first week of the season added some insight as to how Dallas' medical team and head coach Rick Carlisle will handle both players for the early duration of the season. Matthews was available opening night and played 26 minutes before sitting out the following game against the Clippers. He was back in the lineup Sunday and once again logged 26 minutes. Expect this trend to continue for at least the next few weeks, with Matthews playing a controlled amount of minutes and resting on the second night of back-to-backs. Fortunately, Dallas has just one more back-to-back for the remainder of the calendar year, giving the team a bit of flexibility. Matthews has remained a threat from long-range, connecting on 5-of-12 attempts from behind the arc so far this season. However, his peripheral numbers remain a bit limited which isn't overly surprising as he works his way back into top form.
Parsons has a bit less leash to work with as the team has put him under a strict minutes cap. He made his season debut Sunday against the Lakers, scoring two points on 1-of-6 shooting. All 12 of his minutes came in the first half as the Mavs enforced their designed return to play protocol. The shooting numbers are to be expected given it was his first real action in over six months, but the three rebounds and three assists suggest he has the potential to be a legitimate fantasy option when at full strength. However, his overall value will remain stunted over the next few weeks, particularly in head-to-head formats. Consider keeping Parsons on the bench until Dallas elects to employ him regularly.
While Matthews and Parsons remain limited, Deron Williams was back after missing one game with a mild left knee sprain. The injury occurred in the team's home opener and kept him out against the Clippers. He returned against the Lakers and appeared unencumbered. D-Will's first two games with the Mavs are encouraging, as he's averaging 11.5 points and 7.5 assists per game and has turned the ball over just twice. While the sample size is a bit small, the Dallas offense may give the former All-Star a chance to reestablish himself after several down years in Brooklyn.
The injuries have created opportunities for veterans Raymond Felton, Devin Harris and J.J. Barea to see more minutes but they are each no more than a short-term/wildcard fantasy option in daily games.
DeMarcus Cousins
The Kings big man is listed as day-to-day after suffering an Achilles injury against the Clippers over the weekend. The injury occurred in the second quarter and Cousins did not return after halftime. A MRI conducted the following day revealed a strain to the tendon. The good news is the conjoined tendon of the calf muscle complex remains intact. However, the term "strain" does mean damage has occurred, even if it is limited to the microfibers of the tendon. Although Cousins does not have a lengthy history of Achilles problems, the Kings would be wise to handle the injury with caution, especially this early on in the season. Sacramento has a four-game slate this week, easing the impact of a brief absence, though he will be a bit of a risky play.
Fast Breaks
Jodie Meeks
The Pistons will be without Meeks for a considerable stretch after he suffered a fifth metatarsal fracture. The injury gained notoriety last season when Thunder forward Kevin Durant endured a lost season recovering from surgery and several setbacks. Fractures of this bone are particularly problematic as the amount of blood to the area is limited, delaying the healing process. Surgery is often required but it doesn't guarantee a smooth and quick recovery. Meeks has already undergone a surgical repair and will likely miss the next few months, if not longer. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope appears to be the biggest beneficiary of Meeks' injury, though Reggie Bullock and rookie Darrun Hillard could see a slight bump in usage.
Andrew Bogut
The Warriors center is currently recovering from a concussion sustained in the season opener. It's been a rough couple weeks for the Aussie's head and face, as he also suffered a broken nose during the preseason. Bogut has been placed in the league-mandated concussion protocol and will not be eligible to return until each step is successfully completed. This isn't the first concussion of Bogut's professional career and the effects of successive head injuries are cumulative. As a result, don't be surprised if he sits for at least one or two more games after missing Golden State's last two. Festus Ezeli will continue to start in his place.
Dwight Howard and Terrence Jones
The Rockets big men did not play Sunday due to varying reasons. Howard's inactive designation was by design as Houston looks to conservatively manage his early season workload. Howard suffered an MCL sprain and meniscus tear during the postseason and has battled reoccurring stiffness in his back throughout the preseason. The All-Star center should be available Monday when the Rockets face the Thunder.
Jones did not play after a laceration on his right eyelid required stitches to close. The sutures likely limited Jones' vision and he should be considered day-to-day. With these two frontcourt players sidelined and Donatas Motiejunas still recovering from a lumbar discectomy, Clint Capela has received extra playing time. The second-year center has responded well, averaging 8.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and an impressive 2.0 blocks per game. Capela is worth a look in most formats as he should remain a regular member of the Rockets rotation.
Robert Covington
Covington has not played since suffering an MCL sprain on Oct. 23, but he is slated to return Monday against the Cavaliers. He was initially slated to miss one to three weeks and it looks like he will be back on the earlier end of that estimated timeline. His return will be a welcome addition to fantasy owners, who should see a decent return on their investment, especially if Covington can improve on last year's totals.
