Week 18 Injury Watch

TEAM INJURIES

Atlanta Hawks Josh McRoberts (Foot), Justise Winslow (Shoulder), DeAndre Bembry (D-League)

The Hawks go into week 18 with the same guys on IR. It really doesnt matter whos on the IR at this point for them. The Hawks have their own pick in the 17' draft and probably want to lose as much as they can.

Brooklyn Nets Eric Bledsoe (Knee)

The Bad news for the Nets is Eric Bledsoe is out, this is a big deal for the Nets. Luckily they have Goran Dragic to start at point guard. The good news is that Kevin Love is back, Orlando couldnt wait for him, now the Nets benefit from his return.

Boston Celtics Adreian Payne (Illness), Kyle Lowry (Wrist), Kevin Durant (Knee), Shelvin Mack (Ankle), Leandro Barbosa (Illness),

Boston who is probably having the worst luck with injuries as of late are getting back Brook Lopez and Tyreke Evans. Leandro Barbosa who averaged 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 4.7 assists a game last week is out of action.

Charlotte Hornets Evan Turner (Hand), Trevor Booker (Leg), Kristaps Porzingis (Thigh), Dejounte Murray (Groin),

The Hornets who have won 12 and lost 4 in recent games, have some big injuries next week. Kristaps Porzingis is out, as well as what could have been his replacement Trevor Booker. Evan Turner is still out. Hornets have the Wizards on their heels, they need to keep winning.

Chicago Bulls Dragan Bender (Ankle), Chris McCullough (CD), Bruno Caboclo (CD), Damian Jones (CD),

Bulls are still going strong with the lineup they have. None of these injuries will make a big change. As long as they have Curry and Nowizki they have a chance to win games.

Cleveland Cavaliers Jarell Martin (CD), Luis Scola (Waived in NBA),

Louis Scola who was going to be a big part of the Cavaliers bench is still out of action. But other than him, the Cavs have a pretty solid roster to work with.

Dallas Mavericks Jerryd Bayless (Wrist), Henry Ellenson (CD), Kay Felder (D-League), Joe Harris (Concussion), Cameron Payne (Foot),

Cameron Payne is added to the injured list. Last week he averaged 7.8 points, 2.5 assists in only 12.8 minutes per game. Looks like Fred VanVleet will take up his minutes next week.

Denver Nuggets James Young (Tailbone), Markieff Morris (Illness), Darren Collison (Rest),

Darren Collison is taking a rest week which sucks for the Nuggets. Markieff Morris who was coming off the bench last week is also added to the injured list. These are two big losses for the Nuggets who are trying to find chemistry as of late.

Detroit Pistons Ben Simmons (Foot), Diamond Stone (Knee), Deyonta Davis (D-League)

There seems to be some confusion if Ben Simmons is actually injured or not. But the Pistons season is over so its probably the best thing to not rush Simmons back too soon.

Golden State Warriors Nothing to see here

Houston Rockets Isaiah Thomas (Knee),

The Rockets lose one of their best players in Isaiah Thomas. Tim Fraizer is going to have some very big shoes to fill in for next week. The Rockets still have a long shot chance at the playoffs but its hard to see them doing much with IT2 out of action.

Indiana Pacers Georges Niang (D-League), Blake Griffin (Rest)

Another victim of the "rest" injury. Even though Blake Griffin is the teams franchise player, we dont think the Pacers will mind. The Pacers have been tanking for a while now and Blake on IR just helps their cause.

LA Clippers Tarik Black (Illness), Rodney Hood (Knee), Lavoy Allen (Knee)

Rodney Hood is the only significant injury on this list. Justin Hamilton returns next week. The Clippers are counting the days until the draft, these injuries wont matter next week.

LA Lakers Troy Williams (D-League), Michael Beasley (Knee), Josh Huestis (D-League), Dwyane Wade (Elbow)

The biggest news is that DWade is out of action. This could be a big deal, but the Lakers are pretty deep. Manu Ginobili will start in place of Wade, and the newly acquired Jordan Crawford will be the bench scorer. George Hill returns to start for the Lakers, as well as other role players.

Memphis Grizzlies Festus Ezeli (Knee), Chris Bosh (Blood Clots), Michael Gbinije (CD), Rashad Vaughn (Foot), Darrell Arthur (Knee), Anthony Tolliver (Rest),

Rashad Vaughn will be missed next week as he was the starting shooting guard last week. Arthur and Tolliver both join him next week on the IR. Good news that Georgios Papagiannis will be back in action next week starting at center.

Miami Heat Rudy Gay (Achilles), Mike Dunleavy (Ankle), Trey Burke (Illness), Timofey Mozgov (CD)

Timofey Mozgov is a candidate to be shut down for the rest of the season. The Heat arent making the playoffs, so its time to rest its vets. Dunleavy is still out, and Trey Burke who has been a spark plug for the Heat since being traded from the Wizards will also be out.

Milwaukee Bucks Wade Baldwin IV (D-League), Zach LaVine (Knee)

The Milwaukee Bucks are still without LaVine, who is out for the season. But the good news is they have been winning and have the same healthy rotation they did next week. They should be able to crush those red hot Washington Wizards with no problem.

Minnesota Timberwolves Jabari Parker (Knee), Nemanja Bjelica (Foot), Tyson Chandler (Personal)

The Twolves recently clinched a playoff spot, so Tyson Chandler decided to take some personal time off. Hopefully he will be back before the playoffs start. Looks like TJ Warren will be moving to the starting lineup over GR3.

New Orleans Pelicans Chinanu Onuaku (Cd), A.J. Hammons (D-League), Chandler Parsons (Knee), Brandon Knight (Back)

The Pelicans who are 5-5 in their last ten are still trying to get into the playoffs. They are right behind the Jazz, but will go into next week without their starting point guard Brandon Knight. Chandler Parsons remains out of action. Pelicans are down to nine guys next week.

New York Knicks Nene Hilario (Rest), Lance Stephenson (Ankle)

Another victim of the rest bug, Nene Hilario was brought in to be a solid backup center. But next week he will be out. Lance Stephenson is joining Hilario on the IR. Zach Randolph and Joe Ingles will have to pick up the minutes left by these two.

Oklahoma City Thunder The Thunder are 100% healthy!

Orlando Magic Malachi Richardson (Hamstring), Jordan McRae (Waived in NBA), Tim Quarterman (D-League), Ed Davis (Shoulder), Tony Parker (Back), Kyle Singler (CD), DeMarcus Cousins (Knee), Danilo Gallinari (Knee)

If Orlando had any chance at making the playoffs, its over now. Guys out next week include DeMarcus Cousins, Danilo Gallinari, Tony Parker, Ed Davis. Khris Middleton, Danny Green, and Ty Lawson are all but whats left for the Magic next week. It will take all the Magic have to get wins.

Philadelphia 76ers Isaiah Taylor (D-League), Derrick Favors (Knee)

Philly who is trying to stay the top team in the east went 2-2 last week without Favors. They will be without Favors again next week. Cleveland will be their toughest game next week, but the other three games should favor Philly.

Phoenix Suns Omri Casspi (Calf), Omer Asik (Illness), Joakim Noah (Knee), Wilson Chandler (Groin)

The Suns who are still trying to get into the 8th spot in the west will add Wilson Chandler to the list of injuries. They do get Wesley Johnson back and he could step up and fill in for Chandler. They have a big game against the Jazz next week. Suns need to turn things around now.

Portland Trail Blazers Brice Johnson (Back), Ramon Sessions (Knee), Miles Plumlee (Calf)

The Blazers injuries here dont look like they will have an impact. Sessions is a solid point guard, but right now the Blazers are looking to play their young guys. So even if Sessions was healthy he would probably see bench minutes at most.

San Antonio Spurs Joel Embiid (Knee), Andrew Bogut (CD)

The Spurs are without their two big men, Embiid and Bogut would both be great assets to the team. Still they have the best record in the league and are still rolling along.

Sacramento Kings Jared Sullinger (Waived in NBA), Kyle Korver (Foot), Nicolas Batum (Migraine)

The Kings hit their 50th and 51st win of the year last week. Batum averaged 11.8 points, 5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.3 steals per game last week. He will be missed next week due to a migraine headache. Korver is still out from last week. Kings are sitting pretty good holding on to the 2nd spot in the west. But OKC is hot and right behind them.

Toronto Raptors Derrick Williams (Quad)

The Raptors get back a few guys, Shawn Livingston, Mirza Teletovic, and David Nwaba. Derrick Williams is still out of action though. Toronto just dropped four games in a row and have relatively no chance at the playoffs. They are just counting the days until the draft.

Utah Jazz Pierre Jackson (Waived in NBA), Jordan Mickey (CD), Sean Kilpatrick (Hamstring), Toney Douglas (Waived in NBA)

Nothing on the IR this week that really hurts the Jazz rotation. The Jazz have two big games, one against the Suns, and the other against the Pelicans. Both teams are still right behind them in the playoff race. If the Jazz can win these two games they can probably seal a playoff spot this year.

Washington Wizards Jodie Meeks (Thumb), Marcus Thornton (Waived in NBA)

The Wizards IR looks the same as last week. Jodie Meeks is nearing a return to the lineup possibly next week. But with the way the team has been playing is it worth messing with the rotation even if he does return?

TEAM	INJURIES
	Josh McRoberts (Foot), Justise Winslow (Shoulder), DeAndre Bembry (D-League) The Hawks go into week 18 with the same guys on IR. It really doesnt matter whos on the IR at this point for them. The Hawks have their own pick in the 17' draft and probably want to lose as much as they can.
	Eric Bledsoe (Knee) The Bad news for the Nets is Eric Bledsoe is out, this is a big deal for the Nets. Luckily they have Goran Dragic to start at point guard. The good news is that Kevin Love is back, Orlando couldnt wait for him, now the Nets benefit from his return.
	Adreian Payne (Illness), Kyle Lowry (Wrist), Kevin Durant (Knee), Shelvin Mack (Ankle), Leandro Barbosa (Illness), Boston who is probably having the worst luck with injuries as of late are getting back Brook Lopez and Tyreke Evans. Leandro Barbosa who averaged 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 4.7 assists a game last week is out of action.
	Evan Turner (Hand), Trevor Booker (Leg), Kristaps Porzingis (Thigh), Dejounte Murray (Groin), The Hornets who have won 12 and lost 4 in recent games, have some big injuries next week. Kristaps Porzingis is out, as well as what could have been his replacement Trevor Booker. Evan Turner is still out. Hornets have the Wizards on their heels, they need to keep winning.
	Dragan Bender (Ankle), Chris McCullough (CD), Bruno Caboclo (CD), Damian Jones (CD), Bulls are still going strong with the lineup they have. None of these injuries will make a big change. As long as they have Curry and Nowizki they have a chance to win games.
	Jarell Martin (CD), Luis Scola (Waived in NBA), Louis Scola who was going to be a big part of the Cavaliers bench is still out of action. But other than him, the Cavs have a pretty solid roster to work with.
	Jerryd Bayless (Wrist), Henry Ellenson (CD), Kay Felder (D-League), Joe Harris (Concussion), Cameron Payne (Foot), Cameron Payne is added to the injured list. Last week he averaged 7.8 points, 2.5 assists in only 12.8 minutes per game. Looks like Fred VanVleet will take up his minutes next week.
	James Young (Tailbone), Markieff Morris (Illness), Darren Collison (Rest), Darren Collison is taking a rest week which sucks for the Nuggets. Markieff Morris who was coming off the bench last week is also added to the injured list. These are two big losses for the Nuggets who are trying to find chemistry as of late.
	Ben Simmons (Foot), Diamond Stone (Knee), Deyonta Davis (D-League) There seems to be some confusion if Ben Simmons is actually injured or not. But the Pistons season is over so its probably the best thing to not rush Simmons back too soon.
	Nothing to see here
	Isaiah Thomas (Knee), The Rockets lose one of their best players in Isaiah Thomas. Tim Fraizer is going to have some very big shoes to fill in for next week. The Rockets still have a long shot chance at the playoffs but its hard to see them doing much with IT2 out of action.
	Georges Niang (D-League), Blake Griffin (Rest) Another victim of the "rest" injury. Even though Blake Griffin is the teams franchise player, we dont think the Pacers will mind. The Pacers have been tanking for a while now and Blake on IR just helps their cause.
	Tarik Black (Illness), Rodney Hood (Knee), Lavoy Allen (Knee) Rodney Hood is the only significant injury on this list. Justin Hamilton returns next week. The Clippers are counting the days until the draft, these injuries wont matter next week.
	Troy Williams (D-League), Michael Beasley (Knee), Josh Huestis (D-League), Dwyane Wade (Elbow) The biggest news is that DWade is out of action. This could be a big deal, but the Lakers are pretty deep. Manu Ginobili will start in place of Wade, and the newly acquired Jordan Crawford will be the bench scorer. George Hill returns to start for the Lakers, as well as other role players.
	Festus Ezeli (Knee), Chris Bosh (Blood Clots), Michael Gbinije (CD), Rashad Vaughn (Foot), Darrell Arthur (Knee), Anthony Tolliver (Rest), Rashad Vaughn will be missed next week as he was the starting shooting guard last week. Arthur and Tolliver both join him next week on the IR. Good news that Georgios Papagiannis will be back in action next week starting at center.
	Rudy Gay (Achilles), Mike Dunleavy (Ankle), Trey Burke (Illness), Timofey Mozgov (CD) Timofey Mozgov is a candidate to be shut down for the rest of the season. The Heat arent making the playoffs, so its time to rest its vets. Dunleavy is still out, and Trey Burke who has been a spark plug for the Heat since being traded from the Wizards will also be out.
	Wade Baldwin IV (D-League), Zach LaVine (Knee) The Milwaukee Bucks are still without LaVine, who is out for the season. But the good news is they have been winning and have the same healthy rotation they did next week. They should be able to crush those red hot Washington Wizards with no problem.
	Jabari Parker (Knee), Nemanja Bjelica (Foot), Tyson Chandler (Personal) The Twolves recently clinched a playoff spot, so Tyson Chandler decided to take some personal time off. Hopefully he will be back before the playoffs start. Looks like TJ Warren will be moving to the starting lineup over GR3.
	Chinanu Onuaku (Cd), A.J. Hammons (D-League), Chandler Parsons (Knee), Brandon Knight (Back) The Pelicans who are 5-5 in their last ten are still trying to get into the playoffs. They are right behind the Jazz, but will go into next week without their starting point guard Brandon Knight. Chandler Parsons remains out of action. Pelicans are down to nine guys next week.
	Nene Hilario (Rest), Lance Stephenson (Ankle) Another victim of the rest bug, Nene Hilario was brought in to be a solid backup center. But next week he will be out. Lance Stephenson is joining Hilario on the IR. Zach Randolph and Joe Ingles will have to pick up the minutes left by these two.
	The Thunder are 100% healthy!
	Malachi Richardson (Hamstring), Jordan McRae (Waived in NBA), Tim Quarterman (D-League), Ed Davis (Shoulder), Tony Parker (Back), Kyle Singler (CD), DeMarcus Cousins (Knee), Danilo Gallinari (Knee) If Orlando had any chance at making the playoffs, its over now. Guys out next week include DeMarcus Cousins, Danilo Gallinari, Tony Parker, Ed Davis. Khris Middleton, Danny Green, and Ty Lawson are all but whats left for the Magic next week. It will take all the Magic have to get wins.
	Isaiah Taylor (D-League), Derrick Favors (Knee) Philly who is trying to stay the top team in the east went 2-2 last week without Favors. They will be without Favors again next week. Cleveland will be their toughest game next week, but the other three games should favor Philly.
	Omri Casspi (Calf), Omer Asik (Illness), Joakim Noah (Knee), Wilson Chandler (Groin) The Suns who are still trying to get into the 8th spot in the west will add Wilson Chandler to the list of injuries. They do get Wesley Johnson back and he could step up and fill in for Chandler. They have a big game against the Jazz next week. Suns need to turn things around now.
	Brice Johnson (Back), Ramon Sessions (Knee), Miles Plumlee (Calf) The Blazers injuries here dont look like they will have an impact. Sessions is a solid point guard, but right now the Blazers are looking to play their young guys. So even if Sessions was healthy he would probably see bench minutes at most.
	Joel Embiid (Knee), Andrew Bogut (CD) The Spurs are without their two big men, Embiid and Bogut would both be great assets to the team. Still they have the best record in the league and are still rolling along.
	Jared Sullinger (Waived in NBA), Kyle Korver (Foot), Nicolas Batum (Migraine) The Kings hit their 50th and 51st win of the year last week. Batum averaged 11.8 points, 5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.3 steals per game last week. He will be missed next week due to a migraine headache. Korver is still out from last week. Kings are sitting pretty good holding on to the 2nd spot in the west. But OKC is hot and right behind them.
	Derrick Williams (Quad) The Raptors get back a few guys, Shawn Livingston, Mirza Teletovic, and David Nwaba. Derrick Williams is still out of action though. Toronto just dropped four games in a row and have relatively no chance at the playoffs. They are just counting the days until the draft.
	Pierre Jackson (Waived in NBA), Jordan Mickey (CD), Sean Kilpatrick (Hamstring), Toney Douglas (Waived in NBA) Nothing on the IR this week that really hurts the Jazz rotation. The Jazz have two big games, one against the Suns, and the other against the Pelicans. Both teams are still right behind them in the playoff race. If the Jazz can win these two games they can probably seal a playoff spot this year.
	Jodie Meeks (Thumb), Marcus Thornton (Waived in NBA) The Wizards IR looks the same as last week. Jodie Meeks is nearing a return to the lineup possibly next week. But with the way the team has been playing is it worth messing with the rotation even if he does return?