This article is part of our NBA Injury Analysis series.
Kevin Durant
The Thunder watched helplessly as their franchise player limped off the court Friday, favoring his surgically repaired right foot. Replays showed Durant forcefully turning his right ankle after stepping on the foot of Golden State center Marreese Speights. X-rays taken at the arena were negative, and the injury was officially ruled an ankle sprain. Durant has been in street clothes for Oklahoma City's last two games.
The good news is that the reigning MVP did not appear to aggravate the surgical hardware in his fifth metatarsal. The bone in which Durant had previously fractured serves as the anchor for several muscles that are stressed during a forced inversion ankle sprain. As a result, a fifth metatarsal injury is often associated with the same mechanism of injury. Fortunately, the x-rays did not show any new damage to the area, and Durant will instead focus on rehabbing the ligaments sprained on the play. Coach Scott Brooks even went on to say that the Thunder would have treated his recovery no differently had it occurred to his left ankle and that they are not worried about his previous ailment.
Still, fantasy owners should anticipate the Thunder to take a conservative approach with their franchise player to insure nothing else happens as the result of a rushed recovery. For that reason, Durant is a bit of a gamble in weekly formats, though a four-game schedule this week makes it easier to stomach at least one game off. Consider him day-to-day moving
Kevin Durant
The Thunder watched helplessly as their franchise player limped off the court Friday, favoring his surgically repaired right foot. Replays showed Durant forcefully turning his right ankle after stepping on the foot of Golden State center Marreese Speights. X-rays taken at the arena were negative, and the injury was officially ruled an ankle sprain. Durant has been in street clothes for Oklahoma City's last two games.
The good news is that the reigning MVP did not appear to aggravate the surgical hardware in his fifth metatarsal. The bone in which Durant had previously fractured serves as the anchor for several muscles that are stressed during a forced inversion ankle sprain. As a result, a fifth metatarsal injury is often associated with the same mechanism of injury. Fortunately, the x-rays did not show any new damage to the area, and Durant will instead focus on rehabbing the ligaments sprained on the play. Coach Scott Brooks even went on to say that the Thunder would have treated his recovery no differently had it occurred to his left ankle and that they are not worried about his previous ailment.
Still, fantasy owners should anticipate the Thunder to take a conservative approach with their franchise player to insure nothing else happens as the result of a rushed recovery. For that reason, Durant is a bit of a gamble in weekly formats, though a four-game schedule this week makes it easier to stomach at least one game off. Consider him day-to-day moving forward.
Danilo Gallinari
The Nuggets forward was just beginning to show signs of life after missing all of last season recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) sustained during the 2012-13 season. Unfortunately, a new injury has sidelined his comeback and will keep him out for the next few weeks. Gallinari suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee, the knee opposite his previous surgeries. The Nuggets have revealed he will undergo surgery in the near future and miss at least the next three weeks.
Meniscus injuries are common in the NBA, and already this season, several players have succumbed to the injury, including Miami's Josh McRoberts and Chicago's Doug McDermott. The meniscus, the fibrocartilage discs located within the knee joint, act as a shock absorber, dispersing stress placed on and through the joint. However, the manner in which they are situated leaves them vulnerable to injury and tearing. Multiple types of tears exist, each with its own specific course of treatment and subsequent window of recovery. Small tears on the periphery of the disc are usually removed during surgery. The debridement procedure allows for a quick turnaround though does open up the door for potential issues down the road including arthritis. In some cases, the damage can be repaired instead of removed. However, true repairs need a longer time to properly heal and often force an athlete to take a substantial amount of time off. Repairs are considered better for the individual's long-term health. Recently, players like Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook and Chicago's Derrick Rose have opted for repairs and missed large portions of the involved season.
Gallinari's estimated window of recovery suggests he will undergo a debridement, or removal, instead of a repair, and a return this season has not been ruled out. Fantasy owners can drop the sharp-shooting forward for the immediate future, but monitor his progress over the next month. Alonzo Gee will see a bump in minute with Wilson Chandler and Arron Afflalo assuming larger roles in the offense.
Andrew Bogut
The Warriors have been one of the most fantasy friendly teams so far this season. However, their big man in the middle will be sidelined for the foreseeable future after undergoing a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection in his ailing right knee.
PRP is becoming commonplace in the NBA with players like Houston's Dwight Howard and Portland's Nicolas Batum utilizing the treatment earlier this season. But it isn't the treatment option that should have fantasy owners worried, it's the
reason for the injection that is the true cause for concern.
Bogut is suffering from a condition known as chondromalacia, an injury that occurs when there is cartilage damage to the knee, usually on the underside of the kneecap. The smooth cartilage located here is a vital component of knee movement, allowing for the kneecap to efficiently move while protecting the surface of the knee joint. If the cartilage softens or becomes eroded, the bone becomes uncovered and is easily irritated or damaged. The resulting damage elicits pain and inflammation in the individual and can lead to chronic conditions like tendinitis or arthritis.
The problem often arises from overuse or poor biomechanics at the knee and is generally treated in a conservative (non-surgical) approach. However, surgery would be considered should the damage of the cartilage be too severe or if a significant misalignment of the knee is the source of the problem. Microfracture surgery is a potential option as the procedure is intended to stimulate growth of cartilage, a tough tissue to naturally regenerate.
For Bogut, the condition is clearly a significant issue as the associated swelling was so severe he had to have his knee drained. Moreover, the resulting damage is extensive enough that the bony tissue in the area has become inflamed, a common problem associated with the development of arthritis. To further complicate the issue, Bogut has dealt with cartilage problems in the past, undergoing a microfracture procedure on his previously fractured left ankle prior to the 2012-13 season.
The PRP injections will help treat the lingering symptoms and create an environment conducive to healing. However, time off is still necessary, and there's always the risk of the problem resurfacing when he returns to action. In the meantime, Bogut will let the PRP treatment runs its course and likely begin a rehab protocol designed to correct any underlying issues that could be contributing to the problem. He has been ruled out indefinitely, and a mid-January return remains a best-case scenario. The impending return of David Lee should help the Warriors stay afloat, but Draymond Green and Harrison Barnes appear to be the biggest fantasy beneficiaries.
Fast Breaks
Chris Bosh: The Heat will be without the services of their big man for at least a few more days. Bosh has been progressing well and is targeting a Christmas Day return after missing time with a strained calf. However, he hinted he could be out longer, making him a precarious fantasy play.
Robin Lopez: The Blazers center is expected to miss six to seven weeks recovering from two fractured bones in his right hand. Lopez broke his 3rd and 4th metacarpals in a win over the Spurs and was immediately placed in a cast. Surgery does not appear to be an option at this time. Chris Kaman's value improves, though coach Terry Stotts has kept him as a part of Portland's second unit.
Jabari Parker: The season is over for the promising rookie after he suffered a torn ACL. The timing of his injury allows for him to retain his overall value in keeper formats, as he should be back for the start of next season. However, he is droppable in standard leagues with several Milwaukee players, including Khris Middleton, O.J. Mayo, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, each getting a minor bump in usage.
Jeff Teague: The Hawks point guard is still nursing a hamstring strain and is listed as doubtful for the team's Monday contest at Dallas. These types of injuries tend to be particularly limiting for speedy point guards, so it would be wise to consider all viable options before starting him this week.
