NBA Playoffs 2012: Power Ranking the Most Impactful Injuries

It goes without saying that the postseason is an inopportune time to be working with a short-handed roster in the NBA. Any interruption to a rotation and its chemistry can be enough to derail a team that's otherwise clicking.

Nevertheless, some injuries are worse than others.

The playoffs are still young and have already witnessed a number of unfortunate accidents–Derrick Rose and Iman Shumpert each tore their ACL in their respective Game 1 outings. As it was, we entered the playoffs without Dwight Howard, Al Horford or Jeremy Lin.

This postseason could have gone very differently in an alternate universe. In reality, though, here are the eight most significant injuries wearing playoff teams down.

1. Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls–Torn ACL

The Chicago Bulls are well-equipped to overcome Derrick Rose's torn ACL, at least to some degree. But, this is a team that had the highest of title hopes for this postseason.

When Rose went out in Game 1 against the Philadelphia 76ers, the Bulls went from an undeniable contender to a team that will be lucky to make it past the first round. Even though Chicago has talented backups like C.J. Watson and John Lucas III on the roster, Rose was special for his ability to get his teammates involved and take over games in crucial moments.

That kind of superstar pedigree just can't be replaced, especially in the postseason.

Rose's absence isn't just a hit to the Bulls' odds–it singularly redefines what will count as success for this team. Bulls' fans wouldn't have been satisfied with a second-round exit, but that would now look like quite the accomplishment.

2. Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic–Back Surgery

Dwight Howard had season-ending back surgery to repair a herniated disk in April, leaving the Orlando Magic to get used to what life will be like without him.

Howard might not have made this team a contender, but he'd have given it a much better chance to prevail over the Indiana Pacers in the first round. His supporting cast has already proven it can win a playoff game without Howard, but there's little doubt they would do better with him in uniform.

3. Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks–Shoulder Tear

Altanta Hawks' center Al Horford has been out since January after tearing his left pectoral muscle, so Larry Drew's team has at least had ample experience playing without him.

Still, it would have been nice to have him for a rough series against the Boston Celtics. Horford's size in the paint on defense is missed, but so is his offensive play. He has one of the most consistent mid-range games of anyone on the Hawks. That would come in handy in what has proven to be low-scoring series.

This club still has a chance to get to the second round, especially if Josh Smith can return sooner rather than later. If Horford eventually returned in such a scenario, Atlanta would enter the next round with plenty of momentum.

4. Caron Butler, Los Angeles Clippers–Broken Hand

The Los Angeles Clippers' depth on the wing was already in short supply, but Caron Butler's broken hand made matters much worse. The small forward suffered the freak accident in Game 1 against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Unless he's able to make a miraculous early return, Butler should be out between four and six weeks.

That will leave Los Angeles to make due with the comparatively untested Nick Young and Bobby Simmons. The loss of Butler is especially costly given how evenly matched this series is and how dangerous Rudy Gay can be for the Grizzlies.

5. Jeremy Lin, New York Knicks–Knee Surgery

You might be thinking Jeremy Lin should be higher on this list, at least above Caron Butler.

However, Lin's knee surgery in April isn't the worst thing that's happened to the New York Knicks. It doesn't hold a candle to drawing the Miami Heat as first-round opponents.

Could Lin have made this a closer series? Probably.

Could he have made enough difference to fundamentally alter its course? Almost certainly not.

Lin was 1-11 with eight turnovers in his only game against Miami this year, and he'd likely struggle to handle the size and quickness in Miami's backcourt. He'd certainly help locker-room morale, and he may yet give New York a sliver of hope if this series lasts long enough for him to return.

With a Game 4 showing now unlikely, though, this series may end shortly.

6. Iman Shumpert, New York Knicks–Torn ACL

Shumpert tore his ACL in the New York Knicks' first postseason game against the Miami Heat. This only increased the problems Mike Woodson's backcourt was already having without Jeremy Lin in the rotation.

It may seem like Shumpert's a relatively insignificant role player at first, but he's New York's best perimeter defender and an invaluable resource in the attempt to contain Dwyane Wade. He's also a pretty solid scorer.

J.R. Smith has filled in admirably and taken complete ownership of the Knicks' sixth-man role, but this team needs all the help it can get at the moment.

7. Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks–Knee Strain

A strained knee tendon will keep Josh Smith out of Game 3 against the Boston Celtics and possibly longer.

That might not sound like a long time, but this is a closely-contested series–and Smith is arguably the Hawks' best all-around player at this point.

His rebounding and defensive presence are irreplaceable, especially for a team also missing Al Horford and Zaza Pachulia. That lack of size could prove damning for a team tied at one game a piece with the Celtics, a team that also happens to be heading to Boston for Games 3 and 4.

If Smith returns by Game 4 or Game 5, he could be a valuable asset even if he's not playing at 100 percent effectiveness. That could still be too little, too late for Atlanta.

8. Amar'e Stoudemire–Hand Laceration

The New York Knicks would miss Amar'e Stoudemire a heck of a lot more if this series weren't unraveling in just about every possible way.

His now infamous outburst will cost him at least Game 3, and there's no telling when he'll be ready to return, much less make any meaningful contribution to New York's cause. Ordinarily you would think that playing without a guy like Stoudemire for one or more playoff games would doom a team's chances.

They were already doomed for the Knicks, though.

As if the 33-point opening loss to Miami wasn't proof enough, losing Iman Shumpert in the same game put any doubts to rest. Stoudemire's bone-headed move may be another nail in the coffin, but he wouldn't have made much of a difference.

Besides, Carmelo Anthony has been fantastic without Amar'e on the floor this season. Maybe he'll pull off some magic in New York.