This article is part of our NBA Injury Analysis series.
Ryan Anderson, Brandon Knight and Deron Williams
All three players are suffering from a similar injury that is putting their availability for the rest of the season in serious jeopardy. Each has been diagnosed with a sports hernia, a misleading term that has become a bit of a catchall for any injury to the abdominal and groin area.
Traditionally, a sports hernia develops when repetitive forces placed through the midsection are rerouted into the groin and abdominal muscles, resulting in micro-tears in a muscle or multiple muscles in the area. Most often it stems from athletic pubalgia, a condition that affects the cartilage that conjoins the pubic bones known as the pubic symphysis. The subsequent damage leaves the abdominal wall and inguinal canal weak and damaged. As a result, an actual abdominal hernia can develop, though most often a true protrusion will not be present.
Given the numerous muscles in the area, there have been attempts, most notably by renowned surgeon Dr. William Meyers, to ban the term sports hernia. Dr. Meyers, who has successfully performed surgery on countless athletes including Miguel Cabrera, Marshawn Lynch, Adrian Peterson and former NBA star Grant Hill, prefers to use the term core muscle injury. The term eliminates the misleading hernia tag and indicates the injury can occur to any of the many muscles that comprise an individual's core.
This is precisely why, despite varying initial injury designations, Anderson, Knight and Williams all find themselves considering the various treatments for a "sports hernia."
Ryan Anderson, Brandon Knight and Deron Williams
All three players are suffering from a similar injury that is putting their availability for the rest of the season in serious jeopardy. Each has been diagnosed with a sports hernia, a misleading term that has become a bit of a catchall for any injury to the abdominal and groin area.
Traditionally, a sports hernia develops when repetitive forces placed through the midsection are rerouted into the groin and abdominal muscles, resulting in micro-tears in a muscle or multiple muscles in the area. Most often it stems from athletic pubalgia, a condition that affects the cartilage that conjoins the pubic bones known as the pubic symphysis. The subsequent damage leaves the abdominal wall and inguinal canal weak and damaged. As a result, an actual abdominal hernia can develop, though most often a true protrusion will not be present.
Given the numerous muscles in the area, there have been attempts, most notably by renowned surgeon Dr. William Meyers, to ban the term sports hernia. Dr. Meyers, who has successfully performed surgery on countless athletes including Miguel Cabrera, Marshawn Lynch, Adrian Peterson and former NBA star Grant Hill, prefers to use the term core muscle injury. The term eliminates the misleading hernia tag and indicates the injury can occur to any of the many muscles that comprise an individual's core.
This is precisely why, despite varying initial injury designations, Anderson, Knight and Williams all find themselves considering the various treatments for a "sports hernia." Anderson and Knight could very well opt for surgery in the coming days, especially with their respective teams out of the playoff picture. Surgery for a core muscle injury involves repairing the injury site arthroscopically and is accompanied by a six-to-eight week recovery window. The Suns have already ruled out Knight for the remainder of the season, and Anderson is slated to meet with Dr. Meyers Monday to determine his next course of action.
Williams' situation is a bit trickier with the Mavericks still fighting for a playoff berth. He has reported improvement in the area, but Coach Rick Carlisle sounded more pessimistic about the situation prior to Sunday's win over the Timberwolves. As a result, D-Will becomes a risky fantasy option for the remainder of the year, and those looking for an alternative should consider Dallas' J.J. Barea.
I hinted last week Barea could be a nice value play for the week and the diminutive point guard responded by averaging 23.5 points and 6.8 assists while shooting 52.1 percent from the floor in four games for the Mavs. The team remains in must-win mode and Barea is worth an addition in all formats.
The two veterans are sidelined by injuries at the most inconvenient time for the Bulls. With their playoff hopes fading, a broken rib has kept Gibson out of three straight games, and he's expected to miss at least two more outings. Rib fractures can be painful, limiting a player's ability to breathe and move fluidly. Even if he's able to gut it out, the injury site will be vulnerable to aggravation, and Gibson's value takes an obvious hit. Gibson's absence has opened the door for rookie forward Bobby Portis to join the starting lineup, though he has yet to produce a fantasy friendly stat line. Instead it has been Nikola Mirotic who's taken advantage of the extra playing time, averaging 20.3 points, 5.0 boards, 4.3 threes and 2.0 assists per game in 33.5 minutes over the last four games.
Meanwhile, Rose has missed back-to-back games with an elbow contusion that has left him unable to use his left arm. Even if the former MVP is able to work his back into the lineup by Tuesday, it's hard to imagine him being particularly productive. E'Twaun Moore would remain a starter should Rose be unable to play.
Fast Breaks
Nicolas Batum: The Charlotte forward made an early exit Sunday after suffering a left thigh strain in the team's loss to Cleveland. The timing is unfortunate as Batum has been a monster over the past 10 games, averaging 19.5 points, 6.4 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game. A thigh strain could mean a multitude of things including a hamstring strain, a quadriceps strain or even a groin strain, but the severity of the strain remains more important. Hopefully, the strain is mild and Batum is able to suit up Tuesday against the Raptors. Consider him day-to-day at this point.
Alec Burks: After Derrick Favors returned from a one game-absence, the Jazz are hoping to also have Burks back for their stretch run. Out since undergoing ankle surgery in December, Burks would resume his spot as Utah's sixth man, though in a limited capacity as the team eases him back into the rotation.
Kyrie Irving: The Cavaliers point guard didn't play Sunday after spraining his right ankle in a win over the Hawks. The injury is seemingly minor but should serve as subtle reminder that playoff teams are likely to give players days off for even the mildest of injuries. Irving is expected back on Tuesday, but don't be surprised if Cleveland slow plays the situation. Matthew Dellavedova becomes a roster-worthy player for the immediate future.
Kristaps Porzingis: While playoff teams make moves to have their stars healthy for the postseason, lottery-bound teams are opting to protect the future of their franchises. Brooklyn has already ruled out Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young for the remainder of the year due to rest' and now the crosstown Knicks appear resigned to let Porzingis sit out their final four games. The Latvian rookie hasn't played in New York's last three games after straining his shoulder on a block attempt and admitted he won't play again unless he's 100 percent. The statement isn't exactly reassuring, and benching Porzingis appears to be the safest play for fantasy owners still fighting it out.
