Crucial NBA Injury Update: Which Stars Will Miss More Time?
Injuries can take their toll on a team through the course of a regular NBA season. But with this year's shortened season that features so many back-to-back situations, we've seen even more guys banged up than usual, and that will likely continue.
Here's a look at the latest round of injuries around the league.
Spencer Hawes
1 of 16Injury Update: Strained Lower Back, Day-to-Day
The Philadelphia 76ers were red hot heading into Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, but they had to play without their big man, and they missed him.
Hawes was rested on the third night of a back-to-back-to-back for the Sixers, but we will still keep an eye on that back.
Derrick Rose
2 of 16Injury Update: Turf Toe, Day-to-Day
Rose is in a walking boot, and the Bulls are monitoring his toe.
With so many games upcoming, it's wise to be cautious with the reigning MVP.
While he sat out the game on Wednesday, if it were a playoff game he likely could have played.
Andrea Bargnani
3 of 16Injury Update: Strained Calf, Day-to-Day
Bargnani had to leave last night's loss to Sacramento in the fourth quarter with what is being called a calf strain.
He will have an MRI done today.
Baron Davis
4 of 16Injury Update: Back Surgery, Could Return by Late January
Davis could make his Knicks debut sooner rather than later.
The original 8-10 week estimate now looks like 4-6 weeks, as Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni said Davis could possibly return by the end of the month.
Richard Hamilton
5 of 16Injury Update: Groin Strain, Day-to-Day
The Bulls were without both members of their starting backcourt on Wednesday, but Hamilton is close to returning from a strained groin.
Hamilton has missed seven of the last eight games after getting injured against the Los Angeles Clippers on Dec. 30.
He missed two games, played against the Pistons, then sat out the next five.
Rodney Stuckey
6 of 16Injury Update: Sore Groin, Day-to-Day
Both Stuckey and Charlie Villanueva remain out of the Pistons' lineup.
Stuckey hasn't played since last Wednesday with a sore groin.
Villanueva has a sore right ankle and has played six minutes all season.
Al Horford
7 of 16Injury Update: Shoulder Strain, Day-to-Day
Horford had to leave Atlanta's last game in the first quarter with a shoulder strain.
He's a guy the hawks simply can't afford to lose for any amount of time right now.
Marvin Williams
8 of 16Injury Update: Sprained Ankle, Questionable
The Hawks are a bit banged up, and that includes Williams, who has missed two straight games and is questionable to play Thursday night against Charlotte.
Michael Beasley
9 of 16Injury Update: Sprained Foot, Out at least One More Week
Beasley has missed the past three games, and it looks like he will be out at least another week.
The Minnesota Star Tribune reports that he's still in a walking boot and can't put any pressure on his sprained right foot.
Stephen Curry
10 of 16Injury Update: Ankle Injury, Out at least Another Week
Curry sprained his ankle for the third time this season and the seventh time in his young career.
Fortunately for the Warriors, there is no structural damage in the ankle, and they hope to have their point guard back within the next week to 10 days.
Eric Bledsoe
11 of 16Injury Update: Torn Lateral Meniscus, Late January
Bledsoe is close to participating in contact drills, and the Clippers hope to have him back by the end of the month.
Marcus Thornton
12 of 16Injury Update: Leg Contusion, Day-to-Day
Thornton is hobbled with a leg contusion but looks close to getting back into the Sacramento lineup.
Chuck Hayes
13 of 16Injury Update: Separated Shoulder, Week-to-Week
Hayes is a little further off than his teammate Thornton.
He separated his shoulder last week and will be out of action for a few weeks.
Jason Kidd
14 of 16Injury Update: Lower Back, Questionable
Kidd has been out since last week with a back injury, and the Mavericks say he's questionable for Friday’s home game against Milwaukee
Eric Gordon
15 of 16Injury Update: Sore Right Knee, Late January
Gordon has played only two games for his new team and doesn't look like he will be playing more anytime soon.
New Orleans is expecting him back in the lineup, though, by the end of the month.
TJ Ford
16 of 16Injury Update: Torn Hamstring, Four to Six Weeks
Already without Manu Ginobili for about six weeks, the Spurs backcourt took another hit when they lost their backup point guard as well.
Ford likely won't be back in action until at least mid-February.
