This article is part of our NBA Injury Analysis series.
The Kings big man has been shut down for the remainder of the season. The Kings are simply citing rest as the reason for the games off, though Cousins does have a well-documented case of tendinitis in his feet. He's already stated he plans on undergoing platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections in the offseason, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him to get a head start on recovery, especially with the Summer Olympics on the horizon. Cousins is one of 30 finalists for the USA Olympic team and will need to enter the team camp healthy and ready to contribute if he's to make the final roster that will travel to Rio de Janeiro. Following PRP injections, athletes are often required to take four to six weeks off to allow the treatment to adequately be completed.
Brandon Knight
Last week I discussed the specifics surrounding Knight's sports hernia. I speculated the Suns point guard could eventually opt for surgery to address the issue. Knight did just that and went under the knife on Thursday in Philadelphia. The core muscle repair was performed by Dr. William Meyers, a top specialist in the area of concern. The timing of the procedure should allow Knight to be an active participant in training camp. However, this will be the second straight summer Knight has required surgery; he needed ankle surgery last offseason to address a cartilage issue in his ankle. As a result Knight's inherent risk will be elevated entering the 2016-17
The Kings big man has been shut down for the remainder of the season. The Kings are simply citing rest as the reason for the games off, though Cousins does have a well-documented case of tendinitis in his feet. He's already stated he plans on undergoing platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections in the offseason, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him to get a head start on recovery, especially with the Summer Olympics on the horizon. Cousins is one of 30 finalists for the USA Olympic team and will need to enter the team camp healthy and ready to contribute if he's to make the final roster that will travel to Rio de Janeiro. Following PRP injections, athletes are often required to take four to six weeks off to allow the treatment to adequately be completed.
Brandon Knight
Last week I discussed the specifics surrounding Knight's sports hernia. I speculated the Suns point guard could eventually opt for surgery to address the issue. Knight did just that and went under the knife on Thursday in Philadelphia. The core muscle repair was performed by Dr. William Meyers, a top specialist in the area of concern. The timing of the procedure should allow Knight to be an active participant in training camp. However, this will be the second straight summer Knight has required surgery; he needed ankle surgery last offseason to address a cartilage issue in his ankle. As a result Knight's inherent risk will be elevated entering the 2016-17 season, and his value on draft day should be adjusted accordingly.
Dr. Meyers might have another NBA patient in the coming days, as Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson could follow Knight's lead and undergo surgery to address his own sports hernia. Anderson has already been ruled out for the remainder of the year.
The Wizards have endured a disappointing 2014-15 campaign, primary due to injuries that prevented the team from establishing any continuity. Beal was one of the main culprits, missing 23 total games due to injury. The free-agent-to-be suffered a stress-related injury in his right ankle for the fourth straight season and missed additional time with a concussion and pelvis sprain. Beal could add to his total after aggravating the pelvic injury over the weekend. Wall has suffered his fair share of injuries as well, playing through a knee sprain, multiple ankle sprains and a rib contusion. Sadly, the toll of his various ailments finally caught up to him, and Wall missed his first games of the seasons late last week. With the team officially eliminated from the playoffs, it seems likely that the duo won't return this season. Veteran point guard Ramon Sessions will be a late-season streaming option for fantasy owners in desperate need of assists, and Marcus Thornton and Otto Porter will also see a bump in usage to finish out the season.
Aaron Gordon and Victor Oladipo
The Magic is dealing with concussions to two of their primary offensive weapons. Gordon and Oladipo sustained their injuries in back-to-back games with Oladipo also suffering a laceration above his eye that required stitches. Both players will have to complete the league-mandated concussion protocol, though time could become an issue with the end of the year approaching. Oladipo's situation could be a bit more complicated as he suffered a concussion earlier in the year and missed two games. Ersan Ilyasova has replaced Gordon in the starting lineup but has done little to warrant serious fantasy consideration. Oladipo's absence could help Evan Fournier end the year strong and give Mario Hezonja extra minutes to finish off his rookie season.
The Mavericks continue to fight for a spot in the postseason and can finish anywhere from fifth in the West to ninth. A big part of Dallas' recent success has been the play of Barea, who took over the starting point guard role with Williams out with a sports hernia. However Barea strained his groin Friday in a win over the Grizzlies and was unable to play Sunday against the Clippers. Williams, who missed eight straight games with his injury, filled the void left by Barea and gutted out 29 minutes, scoring 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting. He looked good, showing no signs of limitation with his lateral movement.
The team hopes Barea will be able to return Monday in a game against the Jazz, a contest that could go along way to shaping the Western Conference playoff picture. If Dallas can get a win (or if Houston drops Monday's game against Minnesota) look for both point guards to receive extended rest with a playoff berth secured. Veterans Raymond Felton and Devin Harris could be worth a look on the last day of the season, though their productivity has been inconsistent all year.
Gibson is another player whose health status and availability will likely be dictated by his team's overall record. The Bulls were eliminated from postseason contention on Sunday, removing the need for Gibson to play through a fractured rib. The veteran forward has missed six games with the ailment and is poised to miss the remainder of the year. He could be worth a speculative add in keeper formats if the cost is right. The Bulls have lots of questions about their front court entering the offseason, with Joakim Noah set to become a free agent and Pau Gasol unlikely to return to the team.
I'd like to take this time to bid the Black Mamba a farewell. Love him or hate him, Kobe will go down as one of the best players in NBA history. Part of his legacy will be a ruthlessness and toughness that was often unmatched by his peers. While many will remember the injury problems of the last three seasons, that shouldn't define the career of a player who often played through injuries. I've cataloged more than 140 injuries for Bryant since his rookie season, including multiple significant shoulder injuries, countless ankle sprains, broken bones and a troublesome right knee. His free-throw attempts after he suffered a ruptured Achilles are symbolic of his will and determination. Enjoy retirement, Kobe. You deserve it.
