NBA Injury Analysis: Headaches and the Knicks

Ersan Ilyasova
The Bucks forward is out once again, sidelined after suffering his second concussion of the season. He suffered his first concussion of the year in early December in a collision that also fractured his nose. Ilyasova missed Milwaukee's next nine games but suffered another head injury in his first game back. He has since missed two games and isn't expected back Monday when the Bucks face the Hornets.

NBA players experience very few concussions compared to players in the other major sports. Last season, just three players suffered concussions during the regular season. That's one concussion for every 410 NBA regular season games played. For comparison sake, the NFL reported a total of 228 concussions during the 2013 season for a rate of one concussion for every 1.4 games played.

However, the number is on the rise this season with nine concussions already reported, including Ilyasova's two incidents. The eight players on this list, including Cleveland's Mike Miller and Portland's Nicolas Batum, were required to complete the NBA's league mandated concussion protocol implemented prior to the 2011-12 season.

The protocol actually begins in the offseason when each NBA player completes a neurocognitive exam designed to provide an injury-free, baseline score. Once a concussion occurs, the injured player is then required to retake the exam and display scores at or better than his previous baseline results before he will be allowed to return to the court. The concussed player must also remain symptom free after undergoing multiple exertion tests that increase the heart rate and mimic the skills required in basketball. Once the green light has been given by the team's medical personnel, the collected information is sent to the director of the league's concussion program, Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher. Dr. Kutcher then determines if the player may or may not return to action. There is no specific timeframe for completion as each injury and player recovers at a different rate.

This is where things get tricky for a player like Ilyasova. The consequences of concussions are cumulative, meaning the effect from the first head injury builds with each subsequent concussion. As a result, symptoms often are magnified and the time necessary to completely recover increases. Fantasy owners invested in Ilyasova should also consider that there are more concussion problems in his past. During the 2010-11 season, he missed 21 games following a concussion, meaning he has at least three noted head injuries. Consequently, it's hard to believe this situation will improve swiftly. It will result in an increase in usage for players like Jared Dudley, Giannis Antetokounmpo, John Henson, and Johnny O'Bryant.

The New York Knicks
The New York frontcourt can't seem to avoid the injury bug. It starts with the team's marquee player as Carmelo Anthony continues to battle a chronically ailing left knee. Melo has dealt with soreness in the joint off-and-on since early in the season and made a quick exit Sunday in the team's loss to the Blazers. The team has not specified the reason for the continual soreness and pain, but this is the same knee that required offseason surgery prior to the lockout-shortened season when the seven-time All-Star underwent a debridement procedure to relieve prolonged soreness. The current situation is beginning to look surprisingly similar with surgery already being discussed. Nothing is imminent, but should the Knicks continue their downward spiral, Melo could elect to get a head start on rehabilitation and recovery. If I own Anthony in any format, I'm looking to deal him for a more reliable fantasy option.

Stoudemire is facing a similar scenario, as a heavy dose of minutes appears to have aggravated his right knee. He has a well-documented history of knee problems dating back to the 2005-06 season. Since then, he's undergone at least six surgeries including multiple debridement procedures on his right knee and microfracture surgery on his left. Now the soreness has resurfaced, and the Knicks appear set to sit him for the immediate future. He will seek medical advice before resuming activity, but history isn't on his side. Like Anthony, it's probably best to move on before his season prematurely ends.

In the meantime, players like Cole Aldrich, Jason Smith, and Quincy Acy will see an increase in minutes, especially with center Samuel Dalembert slowed by a sprained ankle. They aren't the flashiest names but could end up finishing with fantasy friendly statlines. Aldrich was the first to shine scoring 12 points and collecting 19 rebounds in Sunday's loss.

Fast Breaks

Alec Burks: Burks' chronically ailing shoulder has once again become a problem, and he has been ruled out for Monday's contest against the Clippers. His shoulder has been an issue since college, and the team has already considered shutting him down to address it surgically. When healthy, he's worth a roster spot in deeper formats, but the risk of injury limits his overall value.

Kevin Durant: The Thunder continues to take the wait-and-see approach with Durant's sprained right ankle. It's still causing him discomfort and limiting his playing ability. The team continues to insist it's unrelated to his surgically-repaired foot but will not set a timetable on an expected recovery. Oklahoma City plays just two games this week, and the reigning MVP can't be relied upon in weekly formats.

Tony Parker: Parker's ailing hamstring is not making progress, and it sounds like the Spurs plan on shutting him down for a prolonged period of time. He has tried to return on multiple occasions, only to have the muscle react poorly. The healing process for a dynamic muscle group like the hamstrings is easily disrupted as the scar tissue needs a substantial amount of time to reach a strength comparable to the original muscle tissue. It may be tough to stomach the loss of Parker for the immediate future, but understand it's the best decision for the point guard's long-term health.

Anderson Varejao: The Cavaliers center is done for the season after tearing his Achilles tendon. He has already undergone surgery and should be available by the start of next year. However, very few players have returned to a high-level of play following an Achilles tear, and Varejao's long-term value takes a significant hit.