This article is part of our NBA Injury Analysis series.
When watching an NBA game, I observe the action through the lens of an athletic trainer. It's impossible for me to turn it off. Instead of paying attention to a play unfolding or players fighting for position, I'm constantly analyzing an individual's movement through space. When an injury does inevitably occur, I play close attention to the mechanism of injury. Basically, I'm instantly trying to determine what the heck happened to cause the injury to occur. Studies have shown that understanding how an injury comes about may be critical in preventing future ones from occurring.
While NBA medical teams work tirelessly to minimize potential internal risk factors, exposure to an extrinsic factor can easily incite an injury. Variables like a stray elbow, coming down on a player's foot, the athlete's footwear of choice or slick spots on the court can all lead to an injury that's hard to prevent and predict. Last week, Washington's Bradley Beal sustained such an injury as he slipped on the court, forcing him into the splits position. The violent motion resulted in a right hamstring injury for Beal that kept him out of Washington's back-to-back games.
Fortunately, the injury appears minor, and the team is hopeful he will return in time for Wednesday's contest against the Sixers. He'll be a risky play in weekly formats but those in daily leagues can wait and see if he improves with three days off.
Favors' problematic left knee is once again an issue, and the Utah
When watching an NBA game, I observe the action through the lens of an athletic trainer. It's impossible for me to turn it off. Instead of paying attention to a play unfolding or players fighting for position, I'm constantly analyzing an individual's movement through space. When an injury does inevitably occur, I play close attention to the mechanism of injury. Basically, I'm instantly trying to determine what the heck happened to cause the injury to occur. Studies have shown that understanding how an injury comes about may be critical in preventing future ones from occurring.
While NBA medical teams work tirelessly to minimize potential internal risk factors, exposure to an extrinsic factor can easily incite an injury. Variables like a stray elbow, coming down on a player's foot, the athlete's footwear of choice or slick spots on the court can all lead to an injury that's hard to prevent and predict. Last week, Washington's Bradley Beal sustained such an injury as he slipped on the court, forcing him into the splits position. The violent motion resulted in a right hamstring injury for Beal that kept him out of Washington's back-to-back games.
Fortunately, the injury appears minor, and the team is hopeful he will return in time for Wednesday's contest against the Sixers. He'll be a risky play in weekly formats but those in daily leagues can wait and see if he improves with three days off.
Favors' problematic left knee is once again an issue, and the Utah big man could miss additional time. Favors suffered a left knee bone contusion in the preseason and was also diagnosed with iliotibial (IT) band syndrome. The IT band is a band of connective tissue that extends the musculature of the hip down past the knee. As a result, these muscles, including the tensor fasciae latae and gluteus, are able to support and stabilize the knee during complex motions. However, the pathway of the IT band leaves it susceptible to injury on the lateral aspect of the knee as it rubs against a prominence on the femur. Excessive friction in the area can result in inflammation, pain and a functional limitation. Couple this with a slow-to-heal bone contusion and it's easy to understand why Favors remains limited. Extended rest and anti-inflammatory medication is the initial form of treatment for IT band syndrome. Once the inflammation is under control, corrective exercises can be carried out to prevent a reoccurrence. However, this does require patience and may force Favors to miss an extended amount of time. He's considered questionable for Monday's game. Trey Lyles could join the Utah starting lineup should Favors sit out though the matchup against Memphis.
The Pacers forward missed Saturday's game against the Celtics after spraining his thumb and ankle on Friday. The ankle injury appears to be the more problematic of the two injuries as it was swelling overnight. Fortunately for George, he's surrounded by one of the league's top-rated medical teams. For years the Indiana medical team, led by athletic trainer Josh Corbeil, has minimized the Pacers overall games lost to injury. The team has finished four of the last five seasons below the league average for games missed due to injury, including a top-10 finish last year. George is the perfect example of their ability to properly prevent injuries and handle intense rehab protocols, as Saturday's missed game was the first game the former All-Star has missed since returning from the gruesome leg fracture he suffered while with Team USA. George was limited in Monday's shootaround and is questionable for the game against Orlando. Fortunately, the Pacers don't play a back-to-back this week improving George's odds of a quick return.
Fast Breaks
Al-Farouq Aminu: Portland is expected to be without Aminu's services for at least two weeks due to a strained calf. The injury alters the Trail Blazers rotation, as both Noah Vonleh and Meyers Leonard have started in his place. It looks like coach Terry Stotts will alter his lineup based on the team's opponent, which limits the fantasy value of both.
Goran Dragic:Josh Richardson joined the Miami starters over the weekend after Dragic was unable to play due to a sprained ankle. Dragic suffered the injury Thursday in a loss to the Bulls and has been in a walking boot ever since. The severity of the injury remains undisclosed, though Dragic has already been ruled out for Monday and seems unlikely for Tuesday as well. Play it safe and look elsewhere this week.
Al Horford: The Celtics forward continues to progress through the NBA's league-mandated concussion protocol. He has missed five straight games due to the injury, though the team is optimistic he will be available Monday against the Pelicans. Teams in weekly formats should keep a close eye on Horford's pregame availability just in case, though a return this week does seem likely.
Dirk Nowitzki: The former MVP is traveling with the Mavericks but remains a game-time decision for Monday's game against the Knicks. Nowitzki has battled Achilles soreness since the preseason and has appeared in just three of Dallas' first eight games. He will need time to round back into form and all expectations should be scaled back until he can prove he's physically able to produce.
Ricky Rubio, Zach LaVine, and Shabazz Muhammad: Rubio returned to the lineup after missing five straight games with an elbow sprain. He's sporting a sleeve on the injured area but has shown no other signs of any lingering issues. He put together his best performance of the season Sunday, collecting his first double-double of the year with 10 points and 10 assists. However, the Timberwolves backcourt remains limited, as both LaVine and Muhammad did not play Sunday. Both players are dealing with right knee soreness, though specifics remain vague.
J.R. Smith: The Cleveland sharpshooter did not play Sunday after suffering a sprained ankle in the team's previous game. The injury was described as a "tweak," though a timeline for his return has yet to be revealed. The Cavaliers only play three games this week and any missed time for Smith would be particularly impactful in weekly leagues. Consider other alternatives for the time being unless a positive report on his health emerges Monday.
