This article is part of our NBA Injury Analysis series.
Paul George
With their playoff lives hanging in the balance, the Pacers received a big boost from the return of George. The former All-Star forward returned from a gruesome leg fracture after missing the team's first 76 games. He played 15 minutes and scored 13 points on 5-of-12 shooting. The early results are promising and are a solid step forward for George's 2015-16 season.
George sustained a fractured tibia and fibula in his fall during a Team USA scrimmage and almost immediately underwent surgery to insert a titanium rod in the area. He has since spent the last 168 days resting, rehabbing and treating his injured leg. The time was necessary to allow PG's natural line of defense to repair the fractures and incorporate the newly implanted surgical hardware.
Bone healing occurs in multiple phases. In the final phase, the remodeling phase, specialized cells known as osteoblasts and osteoclasts are constantly laying down and reabsorbing new bone tissue. This process takes time but it allows the bone tissue to return to the same strength as it did prior to the break. This isn't true for all types of tissues as ligament rarely return to their initial strength once stressed past their yield point.
For George, the final stages of the remodeling process will continue as he plays. The amount of energy and stress applied to the bones during the rigors of a basketball game will continually force the bones to remodel themselves in order to maintain their strength. As a
Paul George
With their playoff lives hanging in the balance, the Pacers received a big boost from the return of George. The former All-Star forward returned from a gruesome leg fracture after missing the team's first 76 games. He played 15 minutes and scored 13 points on 5-of-12 shooting. The early results are promising and are a solid step forward for George's 2015-16 season.
George sustained a fractured tibia and fibula in his fall during a Team USA scrimmage and almost immediately underwent surgery to insert a titanium rod in the area. He has since spent the last 168 days resting, rehabbing and treating his injured leg. The time was necessary to allow PG's natural line of defense to repair the fractures and incorporate the newly implanted surgical hardware.
Bone healing occurs in multiple phases. In the final phase, the remodeling phase, specialized cells known as osteoblasts and osteoclasts are constantly laying down and reabsorbing new bone tissue. This process takes time but it allows the bone tissue to return to the same strength as it did prior to the break. This isn't true for all types of tissues as ligament rarely return to their initial strength once stressed past their yield point.
For George, the final stages of the remodeling process will continue as he plays. The amount of energy and stress applied to the bones during the rigors of a basketball game will continually force the bones to remodel themselves in order to maintain their strength. As a result, the Pacers will slowly bring him back up to speed. It will also be integral to George's long-term success that his biomechanics remain unaltered by the injury. A shift in his muscle activation patterns with running, jumping and cutting could increase his risk of an injury at some other spot in the body. This was likely an area of focus during the rehab process, especially given the often-sharp eyes of the wisely conservative Indiana medical team.
His return also allows the fantasy world to get a look at George over these final six games as well as any postseason ones. If he holds up well and experiences no setbacks, George should return to the upper echelon of NBA players next season.
Derrick Rose
The Bulls are hoping Rose will be available later this week for what they are hoping is an extended playoff run. The 2010-11 MVP has missed the last 20 games following a meniscectomy on his right knee. While the procedure does increase his long-term risk for issues like osteoarthritis, it does make it possible for Rose to play again this year. Unfortunately, the surgery does little for his fantasy value this season and next. The immediate return on Rose will take a hit, as he is likely to be on a minutes restriction for any remaining game this year. Furthermore, the increase in inherent risk and Rose's injury-filled past will also force fantasy owners to downgrade him in next season's drafts. Rose is a unique talent but he needs to be handled with caution and care.
Fast Breaks
Jamal Crawford
The depth of the Clippers has been tested over the last 17 games as Crawford nursed a deep calf contusion, but he is slated to return Tuesday against the Lakers. He will likely be on a minutes restriction in his first few games back as the team gears up for the postseason. Use Crawford if you need him but don't expect top production for the immediate future.
Rudy Gay
The Kings' forward is progressing through the league's mandated concussion protocol and hopes to be back at some point this week. His latest concussion is the second one of his career and provides the team extra incentive to handle things with extreme caution. The effects of a concussion are cumulative, meaning the symptoms build with each subsequent injury. Keep an eye out for any updates and don't be surprised if Gay plays sparingly down the stretch.
Draymond Green
Green was a spectator for three consecutive games after experiencing inflammation in both shins. The term shin splints is occasionally used to describe this type of injury though it has become a catchall diagnosis. Shin splints can be muscle, bone or even ligament in nature and do little to provide true insight to the root of the problem. Overuse or fatigue is generally the problem when both shins experience inflammation. It wouldn't be surprising to see Green feel some of the effects of his increase in minutes, especially when you consider his boost in workload. This year, Green has played 2,335 total minutes after playing 2,858 minutes in his first two seasons combined. He should be fine with the extended bit of rest, but he remains a candidate to be rested as the regular season winds down.
Paul Millsap
The Hawks have been one of the top teams in handing out rest days to their players. However, Millsap's next few games off will be due to an injury. The All-Star forward is recovering from a mild shoulder strain and is expected to miss at least two games. Those still playing should make the necessary adjustments.
Nerlens Noel
A laceration to the bottom of his right eyelid didn't derail Noel's late season push for Rookie of the Year. The Sixers' center scored 14 points and collected nine rebounds and two blocks playing with the injury. The fact that the injury did not require stitches enabled Noel to remain on the active roster. Keep him in your lineups.
Tiago Splitter
The reigning champs have been on a roll since the All-Star break, fueled by a sudden burst of good health. However, the streak came to a halt over the weekend when Splitter experienced tightness in his chronically problematic right calf. He has dealt with calf problems for a majority of his professional career and has missed 34 games with calf-related problems. The Spurs have already ruled him out for at least four games and any value he had left for the season is gone. Look elsewhere in rotisserie leagues and in head-to-head leagues still playing.
