This article is part of our NBA Injury Analysis series.
This year, NBA injuries seem to have come in waves with certain ailments popping up in clusters. The early stages of the season were marked by an uptick in bone contusions and concussions, while illness-related issues have been on the rise since Christmas. Multiple Achilles and calf-related injuries also have occurred within the last few weeks, making it the current injury "du jour." While it's likely the number of Achilles injuries will eventually trend back to the norm, just as bone contusions and concussions have, let's take an in-depth look at this suddenly prevalent problem.
The Knicks big man is the most notable player currently dealing with an Achilles problem. The issue first surfaced in late December and has lingered ever since. Porzingis has missed five of New York's last 10 games including Monday's matinee game against Atlanta.
The injury has been listed as Achilles soreness, and a MRI taken didn't reveal any significant damage. The calf muscle of the lower leg is not actually an isolated muscle but instead a muscle group comprising two different muscles. Together the gastrocnemius and soleus make up the calf and are conjoined by the Achilles tendon. The calf is primarily responsible for pointing the toes in movement known as plantar flexion of the ankle. This motion may appear simple in theory but it's a critical component of running and jumping.
Soreness is more of a symptom than an actual injury, and it's likely Porzingis is managing a mild Achilles strain or
This year, NBA injuries seem to have come in waves with certain ailments popping up in clusters. The early stages of the season were marked by an uptick in bone contusions and concussions, while illness-related issues have been on the rise since Christmas. Multiple Achilles and calf-related injuries also have occurred within the last few weeks, making it the current injury "du jour." While it's likely the number of Achilles injuries will eventually trend back to the norm, just as bone contusions and concussions have, let's take an in-depth look at this suddenly prevalent problem.
The Knicks big man is the most notable player currently dealing with an Achilles problem. The issue first surfaced in late December and has lingered ever since. Porzingis has missed five of New York's last 10 games including Monday's matinee game against Atlanta.
The injury has been listed as Achilles soreness, and a MRI taken didn't reveal any significant damage. The calf muscle of the lower leg is not actually an isolated muscle but instead a muscle group comprising two different muscles. Together the gastrocnemius and soleus make up the calf and are conjoined by the Achilles tendon. The calf is primarily responsible for pointing the toes in movement known as plantar flexion of the ankle. This motion may appear simple in theory but it's a critical component of running and jumping.
Soreness is more of a symptom than an actual injury, and it's likely Porzingis is managing a mild Achilles strain or a case of Achilles tendinitis. Regardless of the exact nature of the injury, Porzingis has admitted the associated symptoms are causing tightness in other areas of his leg. This is a common issue with calf-related injuries, as the muscle group is actually a two-joint muscle. At its proximal end, the calf crosses the knee, allowing it to assist the hamstring muscle group with knee flexion. A limited calf can lead to the hamstrings becoming taxed and overworked, making that muscle ground susceptible to strains. As previously discussed, this could be a major cause for concern for a player who has a lengthy history of injuries along that same kinetic chain. The Knicks have stated they are focused on Porzingis' long-term health, and it wouldn't be a complete surprise if he misses more time. The team plays a back-to-back on Wednesday and Thursday, and it seems unlikely they let Porzingis participate in both.
To complicate the situation, forward Lance Thomas is expected to miss time after suffering an orbital fracture and concussion in Sunday's loss to the Raptors. With both Porzingis and Thomas sidelined, big man Kyle O'Quinn becomes an interesting waiver wire pickup for the week ahead.
The Celtics are being equally cautious with Bradley's return from his own Achilles injury. The strain has kept him out of four straight games, and he's considered questionable for Monday's matchup with the Hornets. He has returned to practice, but the inspired play of Marcus Smart has bought the team extra time. Since Bradley went down, Smart has averaged 14.0 points, 4.8 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 2.5 steals while shooting a respectable 40 percent from the field and a surprising 43.8 percent from behind the arc.
The Pistons have been one of the early season disappointments, with injuries to the backcourt preventing the team from developing any much needed consistency. Reggie Jackson missed the team's first 21 games, while teammate Reggie Bullock has played six total games due to an assortment of injuries. However, the extra available minutes has allowed Caldwell-Pope an opportunity to develop into a top 100 fantasy player. Unfortunately, he'll miss time after suffering a moderate shoulder strain in a loss to the Warriors. KCP's exact diagnosis was a Grade 2 strain of his rotator cuff. The classification of a Grade 2 strain reveals the injury involves actual tearing of muscle fibers, though the exact muscle involved remains a bit of a mystery. Like the calf, the rotator cuff is a group of muscles. The four muscles of the cuff are the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor and subscapularis. Together they surround the head of the humerus, and, in conjunction with the labrum, help stabilize the shoulder. As a whole, the rotator cuff is responsible for rotation of the glenohumeral joint allowing for a high degree of mobility at the shoulder.
Rotator cuff injuries often involve the tendons of the injured muscle rather than the muscles themselves due to precarious positioning. The tendons of each rotator cuff muscle pass through a tiny space in the shoulder, leaving them susceptible to both chronic and acute injury.
Pope's injury wasn't a product of overuse but resulted from a collision. Now the fourth-year guard is in a sling and poised to miss time. Treatment plans are often developed around the specific muscle involved and any additional damage to the surrounding tissue, particularly the labrum. The team has not yet publicly stated that surgery is being considered, but history suggests it's a real possibility.
A large percentage of the last 17 NBA players to suffer a Grade 2 or higher rotator cuff injury have eventually opted for surgery even if they were able to play through the pain. Spurs guard Patty Mills famously played with a significant rotator cuff injury during the 2013-14 season before going under the knife in the offseason.
Fortunately, the Pistons appear optimistic about Caldwell-Pope's chances of returning this week, suggesting the strain is in a favorable area and absent of any other structural damage. However, Detroit plays just two games this week, minimizing Caldwell Pope's value in all formats. Consider other options for the immediate future.
Fast Breaks
Clint Capela: The Rockets could welcome back Capela this week, as the big man is expected to return to the practice court Monday. He hasn't played since sustaining a fractured fibula in mid-December. If he's able to return Tuesday against the Heat, he would return exactly one month after suffering the injury. That's ample time for bone tissue to properly heal, and he should be fine moving forward. Still, Houston likely will build his minutes played up slowly, limiting his value for his first few games out of the gate. Montrezl Harrell is the most likely to forfeit minutes to Capela, though veteran Nene could also lose playing time.
Rodney Hood: The Jazz caught a bit of a break over the weekend as Hood's nasty-looking knee injury wasn't as bad as it appeared. He avoided any major ligament damage and was diagnosed with a bone contusion. He's expected to miss at least one game, though Utah believes he won't be sidelined for an extended period of time.
Willie Reed: Reed didn't play Friday due to bruised sternum. He was able to take part in a portion of practice on Sunday and hopes to return Tuesday against the Rockets. Reed thrived in a starting role for Miami but has taken a step back with the return of Hassan Whiteside. He's got more value in deeper leagues or keeper formats, but could be a player to watch should the Heat become sellers at the trade deadline.
