This article is part of our NBA Injury Analysis series.
The Bulls lone All-Star is questionable for Monday's game against the Kings because of a bruised heel. The term heel is used to describe the proximal portion of the calcaneus, a primary bone of both the foot and ankle. A thick pad of fat sits in this area in order to absorb the constant stress and forces placed on and through the calcaneus during weight bearing. Both the bone and/or the fat pad can become contused or bruised with the repetitive motions like running or jumping that come with basketball. Fortunately, an MRI on the area didn't reveal any significant structural damage. Butler does have a minor history here having previously dealt with a similar injury during the 2015-16 season but he displayed little long-term effects. The Bulls could opt to add a heel cup to Butler's shoe to supply extra protection and minimize the pain, though rest may be the best course of treatment. Butler is considered day-to-day and those in weekly formats will need to keep a close eye on the situation before utilizing him this week.
The young Timberwolves suffered a considerable setback over the weekend when he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee. The injury is a significant setback for a 21-year-old on the rise but it is by no means career ending. ACL tears have become a somewhat common injury in the NBA as the league has averaged roughly four incidences per season since the 2005-06
The Bulls lone All-Star is questionable for Monday's game against the Kings because of a bruised heel. The term heel is used to describe the proximal portion of the calcaneus, a primary bone of both the foot and ankle. A thick pad of fat sits in this area in order to absorb the constant stress and forces placed on and through the calcaneus during weight bearing. Both the bone and/or the fat pad can become contused or bruised with the repetitive motions like running or jumping that come with basketball. Fortunately, an MRI on the area didn't reveal any significant structural damage. Butler does have a minor history here having previously dealt with a similar injury during the 2015-16 season but he displayed little long-term effects. The Bulls could opt to add a heel cup to Butler's shoe to supply extra protection and minimize the pain, though rest may be the best course of treatment. Butler is considered day-to-day and those in weekly formats will need to keep a close eye on the situation before utilizing him this week.
The young Timberwolves suffered a considerable setback over the weekend when he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee. The injury is a significant setback for a 21-year-old on the rise but it is by no means career ending. ACL tears have become a somewhat common injury in the NBA as the league has averaged roughly four incidences per season since the 2005-06 season with the bulk of these players resuming their professional career following recovery.
Return to play time has improved as advancements in surgical techniques, rehab and recovery have occurred over the years, though the process remains a lengthy one. As a result, LaVine's recovery could threaten to spill over into next season. Furthermore, LaVine will likely see his development take a small step backward when he does return to action. More than 65 percent of the players to suffer complete ACL tears at the professional level saw their Player Efficiency Rating (PER) regress in the first season following surgery. However, a significant majority of these players saw their PER rebound in the second season after surgery, and over half would go on to have career highs in PER following surgery.
LaVine will have one major inherent advantage, as it appears age can play a considerable role in recovery. Thirteen of the examined ACL cases involved players who were 23 or younger at the time of the injury. Ten of these players went on to have their career-best PER in a season after their ACL repairs. The four exceptions were Knicks guard Derrick Rose, Nenad Krstic, Adam Morrison and Robert Swift. Morrison and Swift were out of the league within two years of their injuries, and even a healthy Rose would have trouble repeating the success he displayed during his MVP run in 2011.
LaVine's fantasy value takes a hit in all formats, particularly in yearly leagues where he is now droppable. Brandon Rush replaced LaVine in the starting unit on Saturday but failed to impress, finishing with five points on 1-of-5 shooting. Tyus Jones becomes an intriguing option in deeper leagues, with Shabazz Muhammad also likely to see his role expand for the remainder of the season.
For the second time this season Hood will miss time with a right knee injury. He previously missed five games with a bone contusion on the joint and is now dealing with another bone contusion and a low-grade lateral collateral ligament (LCL) sprain.
The LCL sits on the outside aspect of the knee, providing stability with lateral movement. The LCL isn't as well known as its counterparts the medial collateral ligament (MCL) or ACL. This is probably due to the fact that the force necessary to sprain the LCL occurs less frequently. In professional sports, the knee is often subjected to excessive amounts of valgus stress when a player awkwardly lands or an opponent falls into the outer portion of an individual's leg. This mechanism of injury transmits force through the inside portion of the knee and stresses the MCL. However, a force in the opposite direction, known as a varus force, is less likely to occur, making isolated LCL injuries relatively uncommon.
Fortunately for Jazz fans, the LCL can heal with surgical intervention and, because Hood's sprain received the lowest classification, a quick recovery is possible. The team plans on re-evaluating Hood midweek, though I wouldn't be surprised if he misses more time beyond that check up. His previous bone contusion could influence his treatment and force the Jazz to approach things a bit more conservatively. Joe Johnson and Joe Ingles will see extra court time with Hood sidelined. Ingles has been a surprising source of steals while filling in for Hood, averaging 2.0 steals in the six games Hood has missed with his various knee ailments.
The Hornets big man continues to miss time with a seemingly mild injury. Zeller has missed six games with a quadriceps contusion sustained in a loss to the Wizards. However, Zeller's injury is more than a simple bruise as damage to the quadriceps muscle group can be painful and limiting. Furthermore, if a thigh contusion fails to be treated appropriately it can develop into a more serious condition known as myositis ossificans. In this syndrome, tiny calcified formations, similar to bone tissue, develop in the damaged tissue of the muscle causing additional pain and functional limitations. Zeller will continue to receive treatment and is likely to miss time. Frank Kaminsky will continue to start in his place, while newly acquired Miles Plumlee will see extra minutes off the bench.
Fast Breaks
Mavs backcourt: Injuries to the Dallas backcourt have unleashed Yogi Ferrell on the league. The undrafted point guard has excelled in the Mavericks starting unit with starter Deron Williams sidelined by a sprained big toe. Williams is listed as doubtful for Monday's contest, giving Ferrell another chance to shine. Ferrell has averaged 17.8 points, 5.0 assists, 3.3 made three-pointers and 1.8 steals in his brief time with Dallas and is a great short-term prospect. Even if Williams is able to return at some point this week, Ferrell should continue to see minutes off the bench with J.J. Barea out until the All-Star break with a calf strain.
Khris Middleton: The Bucks expect Middleton to return to action this week though his initial fantasy value will remain low. Middleton hasn't played this season after suffering an avulsion injury to his hamstring during the offseason. The injury is a severe one, and Milwaukee likely will limit his minutes early on to insure he does not suffer any sort of setback. He's worth a speculative add, but scale back your expectations for the immediate future.
Thaddeus Young: The Pacers forward will miss his second straight game on Monday due to a sprained wrist. Young is listed as day-to-day, though there is reportedly a considerable amount of swelling around the joint. Plan for Young to miss at least two of Indiana's four games this week.
