NBA Rumors: Latest Return Dates for NBA's Top Stars
It's all about the playoff push at this time of year. However, injuries can play a big role—not only in whether or not a team makes the playoffs, but where they are seeded as well.
Several big-name NBA stars are currently watching in street clothes and their respective impact (or lack thereof) is being felt.
Here's a quick rundown of when we can expect some of the top stars around the association to return to action.
Amar'e Stoudemire, New York Knicks
Stoudemire is going to forgo surgery on his back. According to Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com, he could return to the Knicks lineup within two-to-four weeks.
If it's two weeks, Stoudemire should be back in time for the Knicks' final nine regular-season games. If it's four weeks, it would put him back in time for Game 1 of the first round of the playoffs.
Jeremy Lin, New York Knicks
Lin will be out of the lineup again tonight as the Knicks take on the Orlando Magic. It marks the second straight game Lin has missed due to a sore left knee, which will be re-evaluated for New York's next game.
Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks
Anthony, despite a sore groin that's plagued him more than once this season, will be in uniform tonight. He will try to avoid missing any time with the Knicks, banged-up as they are.
Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
According to Nick Friedell of ESPNChicago.com, Rose will miss his eighth consecutive game on Wednesday night against the Atlanta Hawks with a groin injury.
While that's bad news for the Bulls, there could be some good news as Friedell also reports that injured guard Richard Hamilton—who's been out with a shoulder injury—could possibly return as early as tonight.
Ray Allen, Boston Celtics
Allen has been out for a couple of games with a sore right ankle and could return tonight for Boston's game against Utah at the earliest.
Brook Lopez, New Jersey Nets
Lopez has played in only five games this season, missing the first 32 with a broken foot and missing the past 13 with an ankle injury. His return this season remains in serious question.
Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia 76ers
Iguodala has missed the Sixers' past two games with left knee patella tendinitis. It's not a good sign and he continues to be re-evaluted. The Sixers hope he can play against Washington on Friday.
Danilo Gallinari, Denver Nuggets
Gallinari was having a great season before a couple of injuries shut him down. The latest—a broken thumb—has Gallinari on the shelf, but the Nuggets are eyeing a mid-April return.
That is, just in time to make a final push for the playoffs.
Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies
Gasol is trying to come back from a sprained right ankle and the Grizzlies list him as day-to-day with the hope that he can return to action within the next couple of games.
