Week 10 Injury Watch - Either a hamstring or a thumb...

TEAM INJURIES

Atlanta Hawks Josh McRoberts (Foot), Justise Winslow (Shoulder), Lucas Nogueira (Concussion), Alexis Ajinca (CD), Jared Dudley (Dizziness), Chris Paul (Thumb),
Chris Paul is a massive out for the Hawks this week. With a torn ligament in his left thumb, that requires surgery, Paul is going to be on the sidelines for 6 to 8 weeks. With Dudley, Nogueira and Ajinca joining McRoberts on the IR, frahminator might have to get quite inventive with his front court rotations in week 10.

Brooklyn Nets Khris Middleton (Hamstring), Tim Quarterman (CD), Danilo Gallinari (Ankle),
Good news out of Brooklyn this week is that Middleton is aiming to return later this season, which is great news for the Nets playoffs aspirations. Bad news is that Gallo picked up a niggling ankle injury and won't be able to suit up in week 10.

Boston Celtics Alonzo Gee (CD), Derrick Jones Jr. (CD), Patrick Patterson (Knee),
That troublesome knee continues to hold Pat Patterson out for another week for Boston. Good news is that he participated in a full practice this morning and looks to be a welcome inclusion next week.

Charlotte Hornets Christian Wood (D-League), Gary Harris (Ankle),
The Latvian marvel returns this week for the Hornets and should slot straight back into the starting line up which will joy Digeze. Gary Harris can't seem to catch a break this season, being sidelined with a groin, a foot and now an ankle sprain. With so much young depth, Charlotte will cover this comfortably

Chicago Bulls Damian Jones (CD), Chris McCullough (D-League), Trevor Booker (Rest),
Damien Jones remains on the sidelines for another week due to a Coach's Decision but when he gets his chance, he will erupt. Trevor Booker has been a rock this season for Chicago, though with all the bashing and crashing he does inside, he requires a rest week.

Cleveland Cavaliers Mike Muscala (Ankle), Tony Parker (Foot),
Mike Muscala's floor spreading ability will be missed in week 10 but it is Tony Parker the noticable. At 34, Parker's body isn't what it used to be and unfortunately these little injuries combined with the rest days are going to be a regular for the veteran. A Jennings/ Harrison combo will pick up the slack.

Dallas Mavericks Jerryd Bayless (Wrist),
Nikola Mirotic was sidelined with an illness last week that was diagnosed as strep throat but he returns to bolster the Mavs but has he lost his starting job now... Rehab on Bayless' wrist shall start in the coming weeks but unfortunately we won't see him suit up for Dallas this season.

Denver Nuggets Troy Williams (D-League), James Young (Ankle), Chinanu Onuaku (CD),
Denver are quietly going about their business, dismantling teams one by one. When the Nuggets are healthy, none of these guys should see many minutes so look so there absence won't affect the game plan in any way.

Detroit Pistons Brandan Wright (Ankle), Ben Simmons (Foot), Diamond Stone (CD),
When was the last time Wright played a minute in the NLL? Keep getting those checks young buck! Detroit are bringing Simmons along slowly as they should because those foot injuries aren't anything to play with. Reports say he is processing well and is eyeing a debut later in the season.

Golden State Warriors Rodney Stuckey (Hamstring), Stephen Zimmerman (CD), Jon Leuer (Knee), Rodney Stuckey (Hamstring), Luol Deng (Wrist), Demetrius Jackson (D-League),
Quincy Pondexter was waived earlier in the week so he could make way for Deng on the IR. Deng has strained his shooting wrist and was labelled with the dreaded "out indefinitely" tag but it looks as though he isn't that far away. Leuer was on the cusp on returning from a knee injury this week but couldn't convince the medical team to clear him.

Houston Rockets Bryn Forbes (D-League),
Houston are locked and loaded for week 10, with their core healthy. Forbes hasn't played a single minute so far this season so there is nothing to see here.

Indiana Pacers Blake Griffin (Knee), Jeremy Lamb (Foot), Steven Adams (Concussion),
Is week 10 the last week on the IR for Blake? Reports say that he is trending in the right direction and that he will be right to go in week 11. Steven Adams hit his head in a nasty fall and is now under the concussion protocol. With Adams and Blake out in week 10, Indy are going to have to be creative with a small ball line up.

LA Clippers Festus Ezeli (Knee), Joel Bolomboy (CD), Rodney Hood (Knee),
Hood hyper extended his knee earlier in the week and it didn't look good, he was lucky to escape the situayion with just a bone bruise and no other structural damage. Ezeli continues to point fingers behind closed doors, while being in street clothes but on a happier note, Clint Capela returns from his broken leg.

LA Lakers Archie Goodwin (Waived in NBA), Josh Huestis (CD),
Again, no notable injuries for the Lakers in week 10, as the champs continue to figure out where they sit in this new NLL jungle.

Memphis Grizzlies Chris Bosh (Blood Clots), Michael Gbinije (CD), Darrell Arthur (Leg),
Seeing Chris Bosh's name with a cross next to it is a sad sight for everyone. Darrell Authur cant suit up for the Grizz this week due to a sore knee which is a shame because he is a solid contibutor for them since coming across fdom Boston. Fan favourite, Big Papa returns though and continues to take the NLL by storm.

Miami Heat JR Smith (Thumb), Kyle Wiltjer (CD), Rudy Gay (Achilles),
Miami can't catch a break this year. Just as they look like they are starting to get it going, Rudy Gay pops his achilles tendon, ruling him out for the remainder of the season. Not ideal ever but exspecially not in a contract year. J.R Smith is still recovering from that broken thumb and is still most likely 8 weeks away. Reports are that he won't wear a shirt unless it's his jersey

Milwaukee Bucks Wade Baldwin IV (D-League), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (Shoulder),
With Westbrook and Calderon shouldering the majority of the Point Guard minutes, Baldwin has been sent to the D League for development reasons. Speaking of shoulders, KCP will miss again in week 10 due to that left shoulder that has been giving him some grief. It being a rotator cuff strain, KCP should be back in the coming days.

Minnesota Timberwolves R.J. Hunter (D-League), Jeremy Lin (Hamstring), Richaun Holmes (CD), Avery Bradley (Achilles),
This Jeremy Lin hamstring injury is getting ridiculous. He is getting over 11 million and he has only suited up for 8 games because of a strain. Pfft. After seeing what happened to Rudy Gay, it might be best that Avery Bradley sits for one more week and rest.

New Orleans Pelicans A.J. Hammons (CD), Jahlil Okafor (Ankle), Isaiah Canaan (CD), Chandler Parsons (Rest),
The super cautious approach continues with Chandler Parsons knee, which will sideline him for the next 4 games. The biggest loss here in Jahlil Okafor. The big man is on a tear lately and he is a big part of the NOP structure. Highlight, Sully is finally back

New York Knicks One of the best records in the NLL and zero injuries, it doesn't get much better than that!

Oklahoma City Thunder Walter Tavares (Waived in NBA), Josh Richardson (Foot), Evan Fournier (Foot),
Josh Richardson's foot isn't listed as day to day, but is listed as week to week and as mentioned before, feet injuries need to be treated with extreme caution. Fournier has re aggregated a heel injury that sidelined him earlier in the season so he wont return until it is 100 percent.

Orlando Magic Tyler Zeller (Illness), Kevin Love (Back),
Out of favour big man, Kevin Love has been told that he will find a new home within the next couple of weeks and how did he respond to this news... decided to sit due to "back spasms". Either way, he is playing well as of late and will be a big out for Orlando. As for Zeller, not so much

Philadelphia 76ers Pau Gasol (Hand),
Another big man on the block, another suspect injury. Phillies only player on the IR this week is Pau Gasol, who fractured his hand in the warm up before the game. Metacarpal fractures usually take between 4 to 6 weeks to heal so Rudy Gobert will draw the start till then. Not a bad back up.

Phoenix Suns Anthony Brown (Waived in NBA), John Lucas (Waived in NBA), Omri Casspi (Calf), Joakim Noah (Ankle), Wilson Chandler (Personal),
Surprise, surprise, Joakim Noah is injured. It's only a ankle tweak but it's going to cost him the week. Since coming across from Golden State, Chandler has started in all eight games and is playing exceptionally well with 18 and 7. His absence opens up the door to see what Wesley Johnson can do.

Portland Trail Blazers Brice Johnson (Back), Ian Mahinmi (Knee), Larry Nance Jr. (Knee), Semaj Christon (CD), Lance Thomas (Face),
Toby is in full development mode at the moment, so the likes of Mahinmi and Thomas would see minutes but it is Nance Jr in street clothes that hurts the most. This kid looks like the real deal, so another week with no minutes would help the process. Also, dont sleep on Johnson...

San Antonio Spurs Andrew Bogut (Hamstring), David West (Thumb),
San Antonio are firing and the scary thought is they welcome back one of the best players in the NLL, Anthony Davis, but does he play PF or C? Bogut continues to be hamstrung and will be for sometime yet. David West is also sidelined with a non displaced fracture of his thumb and reports are that he will be re evaluated in a few weeks.

Sacramento Kings Hollis Thompson (Waived in NBA), Steve Novak (CD),
The Kings are still as dominate as ever and and while their core is at full health, these tao guys won't be seeing any minutes. Well done Klemm and play on!

Toronto Raptors Tiago Splitter (Hamstring),
Whitehead returns but Splitter remains injured with that dodgy hamstring. Either way, it's all about playing the young kids and trying to get that sexy draft pick for the Raptors

Utah Jazz Sean Kilpatrick (Rest), Joseph Young (CD),
It's a little bit more of a challenge for the Jazz this year, with not everything going as planned. Kilpatrick has really shown flashes of brilliance this season so his absence breeds opportunity for someone else. Joseph Young isn't much of a loss.

Washington Wizards Jodie Meeks (Thumb), Nene Hilario (Rest),
Jodie Meeks wont need surgery on his thumb but will be out for 4 to 6 weeks. I feel as though his production should be better than what it is in the 16 minutes he plays so he might not be missed as much as first thought. Nene's body is forever breaking down and im surprised he is still playing but good on him. Rrst is necessary for the 34 year old.

TEAM	INJURIES
	Josh McRoberts (Foot), Justise Winslow (Shoulder), Lucas Nogueira (Concussion), Alexis Ajinca (CD), Jared Dudley (Dizziness), Chris Paul (Thumb), Chris Paul is a massive out for the Hawks this week. With a torn ligament in his left thumb, that requires surgery, Paul is going to be on the sidelines for 6 to 8 weeks. With Dudley, Nogueira and Ajinca joining McRoberts on the IR, frahminator might have to get quite inventive with his front court rotations in week 10.
	Khris Middleton (Hamstring), Tim Quarterman (CD), Danilo Gallinari (Ankle), Good news out of Brooklyn this week is that Middleton is aiming to return later this season, which is great news for the Nets playoffs aspirations. Bad news is that Gallo picked up a niggling ankle injury and won't be able to suit up in week 10.
	Alonzo Gee (CD), Derrick Jones Jr. (CD), Patrick Patterson (Knee), That troublesome knee continues to hold Pat Patterson out for another week for Boston. Good news is that he participated in a full practice this morning and looks to be a welcome inclusion next week.
	Christian Wood (D-League), Gary Harris (Ankle), The Latvian marvel returns this week for the Hornets and should slot straight back into the starting line up which will joy Digeze. Gary Harris can't seem to catch a break this season, being sidelined with a groin, a foot and now an ankle sprain. With so much young depth, Charlotte will cover this comfortably
	Damian Jones (CD), Chris McCullough (D-League), Trevor Booker (Rest), Damien Jones remains on the sidelines for another week due to a Coach's Decision but when he gets his chance, he will erupt. Trevor Booker has been a rock this season for Chicago, though with all the bashing and crashing he does inside, he requires a rest week.
	Mike Muscala (Ankle), Tony Parker (Foot), Mike Muscala's floor spreading ability will be missed in week 10 but it is Tony Parker the noticable. At 34, Parker's body isn't what it used to be and unfortunately these little injuries combined with the rest days are going to be a regular for the veteran. A Jennings/ Harrison combo will pick up the slack.
	Jerryd Bayless (Wrist), Nikola Mirotic was sidelined with an illness last week that was diagnosed as strep throat but he returns to bolster the Mavs but has he lost his starting job now... Rehab on Bayless' wrist shall start in the coming weeks but unfortunately we won't see him suit up for Dallas this season.
	Troy Williams (D-League), James Young (Ankle), Chinanu Onuaku (CD), Denver are quietly going about their business, dismantling teams one by one. When the Nuggets are healthy, none of these guys should see many minutes so look so there absence won't affect the game plan in any way.
	Brandan Wright (Ankle), Ben Simmons (Foot), Diamond Stone (CD), When was the last time Wright played a minute in the NLL? Keep getting those checks young buck! Detroit are bringing Simmons along slowly as they should because those foot injuries aren't anything to play with. Reports say he is processing well and is eyeing a debut later in the season.
	Rodney Stuckey (Hamstring), Stephen Zimmerman (CD), Jon Leuer (Knee), Rodney Stuckey (Hamstring), Luol Deng (Wrist), Demetrius Jackson (D-League), Quincy Pondexter was waived earlier in the week so he could make way for Deng on the IR. Deng has strained his shooting wrist and was labelled with the dreaded "out indefinitely" tag but it looks as though he isn't that far away. Leuer was on the cusp on returning from a knee injury this week but couldn't convince the medical team to clear him.
	Bryn Forbes (D-League), Houston are locked and loaded for week 10, with their core healthy. Forbes hasn't played a single minute so far this season so there is nothing to see here.
	Blake Griffin (Knee), Jeremy Lamb (Foot), Steven Adams (Concussion), Is week 10 the last week on the IR for Blake? Reports say that he is trending in the right direction and that he will be right to go in week 11. Steven Adams hit his head in a nasty fall and is now under the concussion protocol. With Adams and Blake out in week 10, Indy are going to have to be creative with a small ball line up.
	Festus Ezeli (Knee), Joel Bolomboy (CD), Rodney Hood (Knee), Hood hyper extended his knee earlier in the week and it didn't look good, he was lucky to escape the situayion with just a bone bruise and no other structural damage. Ezeli continues to point fingers behind closed doors, while being in street clothes but on a happier note, Clint Capela returns from his broken leg.
	Archie Goodwin (Waived in NBA), Josh Huestis (CD), Again, no notable injuries for the Lakers in week 10, as the champs continue to figure out where they sit in this new NLL jungle.
	Chris Bosh (Blood Clots), Michael Gbinije (CD), Darrell Arthur (Leg), Seeing Chris Bosh's name with a cross next to it is a sad sight for everyone. Darrell Authur cant suit up for the Grizz this week due to a sore knee which is a shame because he is a solid contibutor for them since coming across fdom Boston. Fan favourite, Big Papa returns though and continues to take the NLL by storm.
	JR Smith (Thumb), Kyle Wiltjer (CD), Rudy Gay (Achilles), Miami can't catch a break this year. Just as they look like they are starting to get it going, Rudy Gay pops his achilles tendon, ruling him out for the remainder of the season. Not ideal ever but exspecially not in a contract year. J.R Smith is still recovering from that broken thumb and is still most likely 8 weeks away. Reports are that he won't wear a shirt unless it's his jersey
	Wade Baldwin IV (D-League), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (Shoulder), With Westbrook and Calderon shouldering the majority of the Point Guard minutes, Baldwin has been sent to the D League for development reasons. Speaking of shoulders, KCP will miss again in week 10 due to that left shoulder that has been giving him some grief. It being a rotator cuff strain, KCP should be back in the coming days.
	R.J. Hunter (D-League), Jeremy Lin (Hamstring), Richaun Holmes (CD), Avery Bradley (Achilles), This Jeremy Lin hamstring injury is getting ridiculous. He is getting over 11 million and he has only suited up for 8 games because of a strain. Pfft. After seeing what happened to Rudy Gay, it might be best that Avery Bradley sits for one more week and rest.
	A.J. Hammons (CD), Jahlil Okafor (Ankle), Isaiah Canaan (CD), Chandler Parsons (Rest), The super cautious approach continues with Chandler Parsons knee, which will sideline him for the next 4 games. The biggest loss here in Jahlil Okafor. The big man is on a tear lately and he is a big part of the NOP structure. Highlight, Sully is finally back
	One of the best records in the NLL and zero injuries, it doesn't get much better than that!
	Walter Tavares (Waived in NBA), Josh Richardson (Foot), Evan Fournier (Foot), Josh Richardson's foot isn't listed as day to day, but is listed as week to week and as mentioned before, feet injuries need to be treated with extreme caution. Fournier has re aggregated a heel injury that sidelined him earlier in the season so he wont return until it is 100 percent.
	Tyler Zeller (Illness), Kevin Love (Back), Out of favour big man, Kevin Love has been told that he will find a new home within the next couple of weeks and how did he respond to this news... decided to sit due to "back spasms". Either way, he is playing well as of late and will be a big out for Orlando. As for Zeller, not so much
	Pau Gasol (Hand), Another big man on the block, another suspect injury. Phillies only player on the IR this week is Pau Gasol, who fractured his hand in the warm up before the game. Metacarpal fractures usually take between 4 to 6 weeks to heal so Rudy Gobert will draw the start till then. Not a bad back up.
	Anthony Brown (Waived in NBA), John Lucas (Waived in NBA), Omri Casspi (Calf), Joakim Noah (Ankle), Wilson Chandler (Personal), Surprise, surprise, Joakim Noah is injured. It's only a ankle tweak but it's going to cost him the week. Since coming across from Golden State, Chandler has started in all eight games and is playing exceptionally well with 18 and 7. His absence opens up the door to see what Wesley Johnson can do.
	Brice Johnson (Back), Ian Mahinmi (Knee), Larry Nance Jr. (Knee), Semaj Christon (CD), Lance Thomas (Face), Toby is in full development mode at the moment, so the likes of Mahinmi and Thomas would see minutes but it is Nance Jr in street clothes that hurts the most. This kid looks like the real deal, so another week with no minutes would help the process. Also, dont sleep on Johnson...
	Andrew Bogut (Hamstring), David West (Thumb), San Antonio are firing and the scary thought is they welcome back one of the best players in the NLL, Anthony Davis, but does he play PF or C? Bogut continues to be hamstrung and will be for sometime yet. David West is also sidelined with a non displaced fracture of his thumb and reports are that he will be re evaluated in a few weeks.
	Hollis Thompson (Waived in NBA), Steve Novak (CD), The Kings are still as dominate as ever and and while their core is at full health, these tao guys won't be seeing any minutes. Well done Klemm and play on!
	Tiago Splitter (Hamstring), Whitehead returns but Splitter remains injured with that dodgy hamstring. Either way, it's all about playing the young kids and trying to get that sexy draft pick for the Raptors
	Sean Kilpatrick (Rest), Joseph Young (CD), It's a little bit more of a challenge for the Jazz this year, with not everything going as planned. Kilpatrick has really shown flashes of brilliance this season so his absence breeds opportunity for someone else. Joseph Young isn't much of a loss.
	Jodie Meeks (Thumb), Nene Hilario (Rest), Jodie Meeks wont need surgery on his thumb but will be out for 4 to 6 weeks. I feel as though his production should be better than what it is in the 16 minutes he plays so he might not be missed as much as first thought. Nene's body is forever breaking down and im surprised he is still playing but good on him. Rrst is necessary for the 34 year old.