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Week 5 Injury Watch

TEAM	INJURIES
	T.J. Warren (Foot), Spencer Dinwiddie (Knee), Gary Harris (Thigh), Not much changed for the Hawks here unfortunately, who looked like a team on the rise going into the season.  They do get Nader back here, a marginal depth piece, though are greatly missing team center pieces Dinwiddie and Warren.
	Caris LeVert (Kidney), Jahlil Okafor (Knee), Steven Adams (Ankle), The Nets return DeAron Fox and give up Steven Adams.  IMO this is a pretty fair trade off with regards to team play, as the Nets really need more help on the boards and the defensive end, rather than additional playmaking.  Though Fox is the more valuable individual player, missing Adams is tough for the Nets for reasons mentioned!
	Chris Silva (Hip), George Hill (Thumb), PG and Theo Maledon return while the other 2 stay shelved!  PG is obviously a huge returnee to a Celtics team who does need a bit of a energy injection.  This continued absence is certainly not good for the trade value of George Hill, who the Celtics have been shopping for some time now.  Let's hope they can get him back on the hardwood soon!
	Jrue Holiday (Illness), Harry Giles (Calf), Holiday did not return this week, and they swapped Giles for Frank Jackson.  Certainly not an ideal swap from a talent standpoint though being that the Hornets have one of the deepest front courts in the league, it is palatable.  This team has underachieved a bit to start the season from the outside looking in, and Jrue's continued absence seems to be driving the lack of results.
	P.J. Dozier (Hamstring), DAngelo Russell (Leg), PJ Washington (Ankle), Taurean Prince (Ankle), Welcome back Pat Mccaw.  Otherwise another dismal week ahead for the Bulls.  Without their best player in DLo, and still no PJ or Prince.  This team is already hurting for big men, or little men they insist on playing down low.  No reprieve this week!
	Jay Scrubb (Foot), Kris Dunn (Ankle), Zach Collins (Ankle), Jaren Jackson Jnr (Knee), Aaron Gordon (Ankle), Norvel Pelle (Waived in NBA), Harrison Barnes (Foot), Anybody have an extra PF?  No really all 3 of the Cavs top PF's are out due to injury, all 3 of which should extend beyond this week.  What's the long term answer for Brayden?  I think Shams has one in mind!  Adding Barnes to this list sucks, as I believe Brayden had shifted him into the 4 spot at times of need.  Tough go in Believeland this year!
	Otto Porter (Back), Caleb Martin (Illness), Chimezie Metu (Wrist), The Mavs would trade Metu for Wendall Carter Jr. and Badgley all day when offered, and that's what happened this week on the injury front.  It's hard not to be excited for the new Mavs GM who will be getting his first look at WCJ this season.  He's been rumored to being shopped for a few weeks now, perhaps his play will remove him from the block this week.
	Jonathan Isaac (Knee), Greg Whittington (Knee), Udoka Azubuike (Ankle), Paul Millsap (Knee), The Nuggets return Conley, and send Millsaps to the shelf.  A trade off I assume Rootsey will take as Conley is the leader of the team and best player.  Perhaps Rootsy wishes both players missed an extended period of time as he has let the league know Denver is headed toward a rebuild.
	Klay Thompson (Knee), Cole Anthony (Shoulder), Richaun Holmes (Knee), The new comer Rashaun Holmes is down due to a sore knee.  Pistons fans  shouldn't be without his debut much longer as the expectation is it is a short term injury.  There is a lot of excitement around the franchise these days to see if this team can compete for a playoff spot this season.
	Bogdan Bogdanovic (Knee), The Warriors would love to have Bogdan back from this injury that has now stretched a few weeks.  Unfortunately Bogdan is not due back any time soon, so it will still be the Clarkson and Bam show in GS for the forseeable future.
	Clean slate for the new Rockets GM!  This marks 3 weeks in a row at full health, and it seems pretty clear the GM should go by himself a lottery ticket.
	Iman Shumpert (Hamstring), Gordon Hayward (Back), P.J. Tucker (Quad), C.J. McCollum (), Tough list here with CJ being out longterm.  PJ and Hayward have headed to join him, and the Pacers will be very similar to last years team.  Luka, and a few space holders.  Let's see if they can stay afloat with all these injuries!
	OG Anunoby (Calf), Victor Oladipo (Foot), The clippers are one of the only teams in the league who can miss 2 80+ overall guys and not miss a beat.  This week they got Kemba back, who has been absolutely balling early on this year.  I believe Andrew would take a Kemba for Dipo swap with open arms, as would I.
	Kostas Antetokounmpo (Knee), Elijah Hughes (Ankle), James Wiseman (Wrist), Christian Wood (Ankle), No changes here on the Lakers front, to Green Mig's dismay.  He's missing his entire starting front court again, and all of a sudden we haven't been hearing of Zeller on the block.  My guess would be it's due to the lack of big bodies the Lakers currently sport.
	Marcus Smart (Calf), Killian Tillie (Foot), Shake Milton (Ankle), The Grizz got Mcdermott and Melton back this week.  2 key returness of the Grizzlies depth.  This team will be a scary sight once they return to full health.  Plenty of scoring and defense for GM Aaron to work with a mold into a playoff contender.
	Rajon Rondo (Back), Jordan Nwora (Ankle), Desmond Bane returned from a personal hiatus, and outside of that nothing changed.  Bane is a key addition to Miami's playoff hopeful team, as he has gotten routine minutes in the 2 and 3 spot this year as a rookie.  Rondo's return is long awaited, as the team is also without Delon Wright next week.  They will need a true point guard to come back and run the show, or else it could be much of what week 1 was for the Heat.
	Killian Hayes (Hip), Romeo Langford (Wrist), Jusuf Nurkic (Wrist), The Bucks got a few key reinforcements back this week in SGA and Sekou.  SGA has been a solid role player this year(LOL) on a Bucks team that is still undefeated!  Sekou has been filling in down low while Nurkic has been nursing back to health, which me must mention, cannot come soon enough!
	Kevin Love (Calf), Avery Bradley (Illness), Larry Nance Jr. (Wrist), The Wolves got back Mo Harkless!   I'll be honest, I am not sure how he fits into the rotation, nor believe he is a real difference makes.  The key will be getting Kevin Love back for the Wolves and proving to the league he is a worthy trade piece.
	Jarrett Culver (Ankle), Another week with only Culver on the list, which is quite impressive when looking at the makeup of the team.  Multiple players have had serious injuries in past seasons on the roster, and you'd feel pretty good about their playoff chances if they can indeed stay healthy.  Big if there!
	Goran Dragic (Ankle), Andre Drummond (Personal), They got back Mike Scott and Frank Mason, and Drummond is out for the forseeable future.  That stings for a team who pushed it's chips to the middle this offseason.  While it wasn't an immense payment for Drummond, this does hurt as no one could put a guess as to when Drummond finds a new team.  You would assume based on how little DET got for him in the NBA last season, it may come in the form of a release.
	Marquese Chriss (Leg), Cody Martin (Illness), OKC got Ntilikina off the injury report this week, perhaps because he was traded.  Otherwise it is more of the same!  You have got to wonder when Kawhi will pop up here as he does annually, though for OKC's sake you would hope he can avoid it this season.  The team is exceptionally put together, and only injuries can derail this train.
	Nicolas Claxton (Knee), Thomas Bryant (Knee), Blake Griffin (Personal), Blake Griffin was added to the list here, and honestly it is probably a blessing in surprise.  Blake absence should ensure the Magic finds wins nearly impossible to get, and a result put them in great position in this coming seasons draft.
	Lucky Ducky, VT has now made it 2 weeks in a row without injury.  With a roster that is more on the older side, you've got to wonder what type of prevention medicine is being utilized in Philly.
	Lauri Markkanen (Shoulder), Kevin Durant (Illness), Jaylen Adams (Illness), Kyle Lowry (Ankle), They returned Clarke from injury, but gave up much more.  After sending out Rashaan Holmes and Boogies impending absence we may see Penny reach some drastic measures in the front court.  His only 2 healthy C's are now Frank the Tank and Khem Birch.
	Anzejs Pasecniks (Waived in NBA), DeÁndre Hunter (Knee), Daniel Oturu (Quad), Lauri leaves the list due to trade.  Otherwise the Blazers are in an exciting spot.  They have their building block and star at Center in newcomer Deandre Ayton.  Perhaps they will not need to wait long to see the favorable results pour in.
	Anthony Davis (Calf), Quinndary Weatherspoon (Illness), Well after having no injuries last week, a big one hit home in SA.  AD is out for the forseeable future with a lower leg injury.  The Spurs will need large contributions from big men and other scorers to keep the pace they've set since week 2.
	Trevor Ariza (Personal), Kevon Looney (Ankle), Ishmael Smith (Quad), They got back Aminu, and Ish Smith has headed to the trainers room.  Unfortunate as Ish had been playing a role on this Kings team, though like many rebuilding teams I am sure J Walk isn't opposed to piling up the L's this season!
	Jordan Bell (Waived in NBA), LaMarcus Aldridge (Hip), Dennis Schroder (Illness), Mitchell Robinson (Hand), Fortunately the North got Brad Beal back.  Unfortunately they still have 3 key contributors shelved, 2 of which have potentially longer terms injuries.  This season we were supposed to see Beal and an improved Robinson go crazy via pick and roll tandem.  It does not look like they will get the duo off the ground much this year, and it will be some time before Robinson returns.
	Markelle Fultz (Knee), Justise Winslow (Hip), Dillon Brooks (Thigh), Not much of a change here besides Brooks addition to the group.  The Jazz may now be running thin on the wings, though don't expect a change.  The new Jazz GM has remained steadfast that he wants to see what he has before making rash moves.
	Ben Simmons (Illness), Chandler Hutchison (Personal), Missing Ben Simmons is huge for this Wizards team.  The duo of Ben and Kyrie have been deadly this season, far surpassing expectation.  The Wiz did get back Robert Williams and Dario Saric, so they do have some reprieve down low even though Ben is out this week.  The league is interested to see the healthy product if the Wiz can end up putting it all together.

Week 1 Injury Watch · Week 2 Injury Watch · Week 3 Injury Watch · Week 4 Injury Watch · Week 5 Injury Watch · Week 6 Injury Watch · Week 7 Injury Watch · Week 8 Injury Watch - KD, Luka, AD, Simmons out! · Week 10 Injury Watch · Week 11 Injury Watch · Week 12 Injury Watch · Week 13 Injury Watch · Week 13 Injury Watch- Curry, Fox, Ingram, Williamson · Week 14 Injury Watch - KD, Harden, Giannis, Luka and Kawhi all return!! · Week 16 Injury Watch · Week 17 Injury Watch - Playoffs are near! ·