It's Injury Time, Baby!

TEAM INJURIES

Atlanta Hawks Alexis Ajinca (Shoulder), Justise Winslow (Wrist), Lucas Noguiera (Personal Reasons) The Frahminator steps in with three players on the IR. Noguiera won't be gone long since he is attending to the birth of his first child, but he doesn't hurt the Hawks as much as the other two. Big man Ajinca has a shoulder injury while Winslow is nursing a sprained wrist. Neither should be out long, but this isn't the best way for a new GM to start a season.

Brooklyn Nets Jeremy Lamb (Hamstring), Al-Farouq Aminu (Calf), Caris LeVert (Foot), Khris Middleton (Hamstring) Poor, poor Brooklyn. Can this team never catch a break? We won't be seeing star player Middleton til sometime in March as he recovers from surgery for a torn hamstring. Doesn't help that bench guys like Lamb and Aminu can't help fill in, especially since they both could miss a few weeks. Rookie LeVert might even miss the season as he recovers from multiple surgeries to fix a stress fraction in his foot. Look for Jordan McRae and Dion Waiters to log major minutes.

Boston Celtics Derrick Jones Jr. (D-League), Tyreke Evans (Knee), Darrell Arthur (Knee) What's the old adage? Once an injury player, always an injury player? Is anyone surprised to see Ty Evans and Darrell Arthur on the shelf even before the season starts? Evans could be back soon, but he has recovering from surgeries on his AND blood clot. Want to start taking bets he'll never wear the Boston green? Arthur's surgically repaired knee is swollen and he needs some time off. Andre Roberson will start, not the greatest thing.

Charlotte Hornets Aaron Harrison (D-League), Christian Wood (D-League), Dirk Nowitzki (Achilles), Gary Harris (Foot) We're not exactly why Dirk signed with the rebuilding Hornets or why the Hornets signed him besides to reach the minimum salary. But he won't play this week as he's dealing with a straining Achilles tendon. What hurts more is the absence of starting shooting guard Gary Harris who will miss a month with a sprained foot. Rookie Jamal Murray will use the time to shine as he steps into the staring role but Mario Hezonja backing him up at the two might not be the best idea.

Chicago Bulls Thabo Sefolosha (Knee), Damian Jones (Pectoral) Chicago begins the season with starting small forward Sefolosha on the shelf with a knee sprain. Though it won't keep him out long, his absence will test the mettle of this constantly rebuilding team. Big FA acquisition Evan Turner will likely step in. We are wondering why he isn't starting anyway. Rookie Damian Jones will be out for a bit after surgery for a torn pectoral muscle.

Cleveland Cavaliers Cleveland is fully healthy to start the season.

Dallas Mavericks Ivica Zubac (Ankle), Doug McDermott (Concussion) Neither Zubac and McDermott figure much into the Mavs lineup, so this report is anything but dire. Zubac's injury doesn't look major and McDermott will be back to doing nothing much but taking up space as soon as he clears the league's concussion protocol.

Denver Nuggets Derrick Favors (Knee) As GM Rootsey relentless tries to shop the end of his bench for the front of yours, Derrick Favors, an Injury Watch Favorsite (pun, intended), is back on the report. Not in the lineup because of a bone bruise, Favors will likely miss an extended amount of time. In the meantime, Ilyasova is available for YOUR starting PF and a first.

Detroit Pistons Kay Felder (CD), Brandan Wright (Ankle), Fred VanVleet (CD), Jerryd Bayless (Wrist), Ben Simmons (Foot) Welcome to town, Laddas!

Golden State Warriors Quincy Pondexter (Knee), Jose Barea (Calf) Why is Pondexter even on a roster anymore. He's been injured for YEARS, and I'm not playing around. It must have been one hell of a knee surgery since he hasn't had a timetable for return ever since. The bad news is that the newly acquired Barea tore the muscle that connects calf and the Achilles and will be out a whopping six weeks. In the meantime, the Warriors may want to trade one of their million small forwards to backup the oft-injured Marcus Smart.

Houston Rockets Bryn Forbes (CD) The Rockets have no GM but at least they don't have anyone significant injured.

Indiana Pacers Marshall Plumlee (D-League) The Indiana Pacers also start the season with no one injured. The third Plumlee giant will get some minutes in the D-League.

LA Clippers Treveon Graham (Achilles), Festus Ezeli (Knee), DAngelo Russell (Knee), Alec Burks (Ankle) It's probably going to be another bad season in LA for the Clips. Four names on the IR to start the season and none is Nikola Pekovic (he's sitting on the IR while sitting in the FA pool). Ezeli sounds like he's in big trouble since I don't even know what the hell is wrong with him (he had a bone marrow aspirate concentrate injected into his knee). Burks has also been out forever after multiple surgeries and no one knows when he will back. The Sixers GM is breathing a sigh of relief that GM Andrew passed on an Evan Turner-Burks swap this summer. D'Angelo Russell will also miss a short amount of time with a sore knee. It will likely be a bloodbath during Week 1.

LA Lakers Brandon Rush (Toe), George Hill (Thumb) The Chumps start the season relatively healthy with the exception of starting PG George Hill, who is nursing a sprained thumb. Aaron Brooks will step up and show his GM whether he's glitched out or not.

Memphis Grizzlies Jarnell Stokes (Waived in NBA), Mike Scott (Knee), Michael Gbinije (D-League), Troy Daniels (CD), Chris Bosh (Blood Clots) Most of the names on this list wouldn't mean much if the Grizzlies weren't such a sorry collection of players to begin with. The biggest news here is Bosh, who won't play at all this season after dealing with blood clots. In the meantime, he gets paid around $24 million and takes up a precious roster space.

Miami Heat Tyson Chandler (Personal Reasons), Danuel House (CD), Nene Hilario (Rest), Kyle Wiltjer (D-League), Rajon Rondo (Ankle) It's a week off at the old folks home in Miami and Joakim Noah's name isn't even on this list. Nene will need a week off for rest already while Chandler is dealing with personal issues. Rondo is dealing with a sprained ankle and should only miss a week or two. In the meantime, D.J. Augustin will get some burn at the one while Rudy Gay will stretch it out at the four. Here's the scary thing: Anthony Bennett, Alan Williams (who?!) and Joe Ingles will. all. see. extended. minutes. Gulp.

Milwaukee Bucks Cameron Payne (Foot), Skal Labissiere (D-League) Cameron Payne will miss six to eight weeks after breaking his foot. This injury will have little bearing on the Bucks with Zach LaVine on the bench to back up Westbrook.

Minnesota Timberwolves Jeremy Lin (Hamstring), Chinanu Onuaku (D-League), Nerlens Noel (Knee) Maybe instead of looking to gank new GMs via trade, maybe Spudspace's first act as new Minnesota T'wolves GM is fire the team's medical staff. Former GM Javijoe couldn't do it and banished himself to a permanent vacation in Disney World. Week One 2016 looks like more of the same for Minny. Jeremy Lin is dealing with a hamstring injury and should be back soon. However, Noel's situation is more serious. He underwent surgery on his knee (on an inflamed plica?!) and he will more out more than a month. The wind blows cold in Minny, Spudspace. You need a thick skin to make it here.

New Orleans Pelicans Jared Sullinger (Foot) What's an Injury Watch without a check-in with our favorite big man Jared Sullinger? After the Pelicans blew 200 GM points to retain Chandler Parsons, they got off easy with Sullinger. Why? Because his foot surgery will have him out two to three months. We'll see ya next week, Jared!

New York Knicks The New York Knicks start the season fully healthy. Yet, for some reason, their backup point guard is in their starting lineup. Hmmmm.

Oklahoma City Thunder Walter Tavares (Waived in NBA) All of Smaug's treasure is accountable and in working order.

Orlando Magic Josh Huestis (CD), Malachi Richardson (D-League), Shabazz Muhammad (Knee), Michael Carter-Williams (Knee) Okay, the MCW injury happened before Javi came to town, so we can't pin the blame for that one on him. MCDub will be out for more than a month with a deep bruise in his knee. What we can talk about is our old friend Shabazz. Remember when he was projected to go first overall? Right now, he has sore knee. I have a feeling we'll be seeing here again soon.

Philadelphia 76ers Smooth sailing for the Sixers. For now.

Phoenix Suns Al Horford (Concussion), Wesley Johnson (Heel) Great Scott, Penny. You got two of your new starters sitting on the pine this week. Horford got clocked in the head and won't return until he goes through the league concussion protocol. Johnson has a bruised heel and will cool his heels on the bench til he feels better. In the meantime, the $11 million man Jon Leuer and the God of Basketball CJ Miles will start. Unless Penny can get the king's ransom return back for Miles he's been asking for three years.

Portland Trail Blazers Brice Johnson (Back), Lance Thomas (Foot), Ian Mahinmi (Knee), Wayne Ellington (Quad) Welcome to the NLL, Toby. The Blazers staff celebrated when much-maligned GM DJDrew stepped down. But four key injuries weaken this already weak squad. Worst of all, starting center Ian Mahinmi will miss more than a month with a partially torn meniscus in his knee. Good thing they got Kosta Koufos or else Mahinmi would be sitting next to Barea, wishing they were somewhere else (which they would probably do if they were healthy with the history this team has recently).

San Antonio Spurs Reggie Jackson (Knee), Delon Wright (Shoulder), Bruno Caboclo (D-League), Will Barton (Ankle) Any got a PG? The Spurs are feeling the little guy bug with Jackson and Wright out, not to mention the best bargain contract guy out there in Barton. Barton the Bargain! Love it! At least the Brow ain't on this list. Moe Harkless and Stanley Johnson will get some major minutes in the meantime.

Sacramento Kings Devin Harris (Toe), Dewayne Dedmon (Knee) The Summer of Love is over in Sac-Town. GM Klemmelo took a bold chance, moving the franchise player this summer for a player he arguably didn't need and replacing with a guy no one knows. Let's hope it works. Vets Harris and Dedmon could be helpful, but there are other guys who can do the same thing that are healthy.

Toronto Raptors Tiago Splitter (Hamstring), Jae Crowder (Ankle), Deron Williams (Calf) The bug also bit the Raptors early, taking out two starters for the season's first week. Crowder is dealing with an ankle sprain and Deron has a tight calf. Nothing awful, but awful enough keep them out of the lineup. Rookie Kris Dunn is going to have a big week ahead of him and is Derrick Williams really the best option at small forward?

Utah Jazz Smooth music for the Jazz with no one out.

Washington Wizards Anderson Varejao (CD), Jodie Meeks (Foot) Which scenario is the most believable a) Varejao and Meeks are healthy, b) One of them is healthy while the other isn't., c) Both Varejao and Meeks are on the IR. Ready to guess? Here's a hint (fill in the blank the __at loves to purr and drink milk)!

TEAM	INJURIES
	Alexis Ajinca (Shoulder), Justise Winslow (Wrist), Lucas Noguiera (Personal Reasons) The Frahminator steps in with three players on the IR. Noguiera won't be gone long since he is attending to the birth of his first child, but he doesn't hurt the Hawks as much as the other two. Big man Ajinca has a shoulder injury while Winslow is nursing a sprained wrist. Neither should be out long, but this isn't the best way for a new GM to start a season.
	Jeremy Lamb (Hamstring), Al-Farouq Aminu (Calf), Caris LeVert (Foot), Khris Middleton (Hamstring) Poor, poor Brooklyn. Can this team never catch a break? We won't be seeing star player Middleton til sometime in March as he recovers from surgery for a torn hamstring. Doesn't help that bench guys like Lamb and Aminu can't help fill in, especially since they both could miss a few weeks. Rookie LeVert might even miss the season as he recovers from multiple surgeries to fix a stress fraction in his foot. Look for Jordan McRae and Dion Waiters to log major minutes.
	Derrick Jones Jr. (D-League), Tyreke Evans (Knee), Darrell Arthur (Knee) What's the old adage? Once an injury player, always an injury player? Is anyone surprised to see Ty Evans and Darrell Arthur on the shelf even before the season starts? Evans could be back soon, but he has recovering from surgeries on his AND blood clot. Want to start taking bets he'll never wear the Boston green? Arthur's surgically repaired knee is swollen and he needs some time off. Andre Roberson will start, not the greatest thing.
	Aaron Harrison (D-League), Christian Wood (D-League), Dirk Nowitzki (Achilles), Gary Harris (Foot) We're not exactly why Dirk signed with the rebuilding Hornets or why the Hornets signed him besides to reach the minimum salary. But he won't play this week as he's dealing with a straining Achilles tendon. What hurts more is the absence of starting shooting guard Gary Harris who will miss a month with a sprained foot. Rookie Jamal Murray will use the time to shine as he steps into the staring role but Mario Hezonja backing him up at the two might not be the best idea.
	Thabo Sefolosha (Knee), Damian Jones (Pectoral) Chicago begins the season with starting small forward Sefolosha on the shelf with a knee sprain. Though it won't keep him out long, his absence will test the mettle of this constantly rebuilding team. Big FA acquisition Evan Turner will likely step in. We are wondering why he isn't starting anyway. Rookie Damian Jones will be out for a bit after surgery for a torn pectoral muscle.
	Cleveland is fully healthy to start the season.
	Ivica Zubac (Ankle), Doug McDermott (Concussion) Neither Zubac and McDermott figure much into the Mavs lineup, so this report is anything but dire. Zubac's injury doesn't look major and McDermott will be back to doing nothing much but taking up space as soon as he clears the league's concussion protocol.
	Derrick Favors (Knee) As GM Rootsey relentless tries to shop the end of his bench for the front of yours, Derrick Favors, an Injury Watch Favorsite (pun, intended), is back on the report. Not in the lineup because of a bone bruise, Favors will likely miss an extended amount of time. In the meantime, Ilyasova is available for YOUR starting PF and a first.
	Kay Felder (CD), Brandan Wright (Ankle), Fred VanVleet (CD), Jerryd Bayless (Wrist), Ben Simmons (Foot) Welcome to town, Laddas!
	Quincy Pondexter (Knee), Jose Barea (Calf) Why is Pondexter even on a roster anymore. He's been injured for YEARS, and I'm not playing around. It must have been one hell of a knee surgery since he hasn't had a timetable for return ever since. The bad news is that the newly acquired Barea tore the muscle that connects calf and the Achilles and will be out a whopping six weeks. In the meantime, the Warriors may want to trade one of their million small forwards to backup the oft-injured Marcus Smart.
	Bryn Forbes (CD) The Rockets have no GM but at least they don't have anyone significant injured.
	Marshall Plumlee (D-League) The Indiana Pacers also start the season with no one injured. The third Plumlee giant will get some minutes in the D-League.
	Treveon Graham (Achilles), Festus Ezeli (Knee), DAngelo Russell (Knee), Alec Burks (Ankle) It's probably going to be another bad season in LA for the Clips. Four names on the IR to start the season and none is Nikola Pekovic (he's sitting on the IR while sitting in the FA pool). Ezeli sounds like he's in big trouble since I don't even know what the hell is wrong with him (he had a bone marrow aspirate concentrate injected into his knee). Burks has also been out forever after multiple surgeries and no one knows when he will back. The Sixers GM is breathing a sigh of relief that GM Andrew passed on an Evan Turner-Burks swap this summer. D'Angelo Russell will also miss a short amount of time with a sore knee. It will likely be a bloodbath during Week 1.
	Brandon Rush (Toe), George Hill (Thumb) The Chumps start the season relatively healthy with the exception of starting PG George Hill, who is nursing a sprained thumb. Aaron Brooks will step up and show his GM whether he's glitched out or not.
	Jarnell Stokes (Waived in NBA), Mike Scott (Knee), Michael Gbinije (D-League), Troy Daniels (CD), Chris Bosh (Blood Clots) Most of the names on this list wouldn't mean much if the Grizzlies weren't such a sorry collection of players to begin with. The biggest news here is Bosh, who won't play at all this season after dealing with blood clots. In the meantime, he gets paid around $24 million and takes up a precious roster space.
	Tyson Chandler (Personal Reasons), Danuel House (CD), Nene Hilario (Rest), Kyle Wiltjer (D-League), Rajon Rondo (Ankle) It's a week off at the old folks home in Miami and Joakim Noah's name isn't even on this list. Nene will need a week off for rest already while Chandler is dealing with personal issues. Rondo is dealing with a sprained ankle and should only miss a week or two. In the meantime, D.J. Augustin will get some burn at the one while Rudy Gay will stretch it out at the four. Here's the scary thing: Anthony Bennett, Alan Williams (who?!) and Joe Ingles will. all. see. extended. minutes. Gulp.
	Cameron Payne (Foot), Skal Labissiere (D-League) Cameron Payne will miss six to eight weeks after breaking his foot. This injury will have little bearing on the Bucks with Zach LaVine on the bench to back up Westbrook.
	Jeremy Lin (Hamstring), Chinanu Onuaku (D-League), Nerlens Noel (Knee) Maybe instead of looking to gank new GMs via trade, maybe Spudspace's first act as new Minnesota T'wolves GM is fire the team's medical staff. Former GM Javijoe couldn't do it and banished himself to a permanent vacation in Disney World. Week One 2016 looks like more of the same for Minny. Jeremy Lin is dealing with a hamstring injury and should be back soon. However, Noel's situation is more serious. He underwent surgery on his knee (on an inflamed plica?!) and he will more out more than a month. The wind blows cold in Minny, Spudspace. You need a thick skin to make it here.
	Jared Sullinger (Foot) What's an Injury Watch without a check-in with our favorite big man Jared Sullinger? After the Pelicans blew 200 GM points to retain Chandler Parsons, they got off easy with Sullinger. Why? Because his foot surgery will have him out two to three months. We'll see ya next week, Jared!
	The New York Knicks start the season fully healthy. Yet, for some reason, their backup point guard is in their starting lineup. Hmmmm.
	Walter Tavares (Waived in NBA) All of Smaug's treasure is accountable and in working order.
	Josh Huestis (CD), Malachi Richardson (D-League), Shabazz Muhammad (Knee), Michael Carter-Williams (Knee) Okay, the MCW injury happened before Javi came to town, so we can't pin the blame for that one on him. MCDub will be out for more than a month with a deep bruise in his knee. What we can talk about is our old friend Shabazz. Remember when he was projected to go first overall? Right now, he has sore knee. I have a feeling we'll be seeing here again soon.
	Smooth sailing for the Sixers. For now.
	Al Horford (Concussion), Wesley Johnson (Heel) Great Scott, Penny. You got two of your new starters sitting on the pine this week. Horford got clocked in the head and won't return until he goes through the league concussion protocol. Johnson has a bruised heel and will cool his heels on the bench til he feels better. In the meantime, the $11 million man Jon Leuer and the God of Basketball CJ Miles will start. Unless Penny can get the king's ransom return back for Miles he's been asking for three years.
	Brice Johnson (Back), Lance Thomas (Foot), Ian Mahinmi (Knee), Wayne Ellington (Quad) Welcome to the NLL, Toby. The Blazers staff celebrated when much-maligned GM DJDrew stepped down. But four key injuries weaken this already weak squad. Worst of all, starting center Ian Mahinmi will miss more than a month with a partially torn meniscus in his knee. Good thing they got Kosta Koufos or else Mahinmi would be sitting next to Barea, wishing they were somewhere else (which they would probably do if they were healthy with the history this team has recently).
	Reggie Jackson (Knee), Delon Wright (Shoulder), Bruno Caboclo (D-League), Will Barton (Ankle) Any got a PG? The Spurs are feeling the little guy bug with Jackson and Wright out, not to mention the best bargain contract guy out there in Barton. Barton the Bargain! Love it! At least the Brow ain't on this list. Moe Harkless and Stanley Johnson will get some major minutes in the meantime.
	Devin Harris (Toe), Dewayne Dedmon (Knee) The Summer of Love is over in Sac-Town. GM Klemmelo took a bold chance, moving the franchise player this summer for a player he arguably didn't need and replacing with a guy no one knows. Let's hope it works. Vets Harris and Dedmon could be helpful, but there are other guys who can do the same thing that are healthy.
	Tiago Splitter (Hamstring), Jae Crowder (Ankle), Deron Williams (Calf) The bug also bit the Raptors early, taking out two starters for the season's first week. Crowder is dealing with an ankle sprain and Deron has a tight calf. Nothing awful, but awful enough keep them out of the lineup. Rookie Kris Dunn is going to have a big week ahead of him and is Derrick Williams really the best option at small forward?
	Smooth music for the Jazz with no one out.
	Anderson Varejao (CD), Jodie Meeks (Foot) Which scenario is the most believable a) Varejao and Meeks are healthy, b) One of them is healthy while the other isn't., c) Both Varejao and Meeks are on the IR. Ready to guess? Here's a hint (fill in the blank the __at loves to purr and drink milk)!