Threat Level of Injuries Around the NBA

The 2012-13 NBA regular season has officially commenced. The games have begun, the rivalries have grown stronger and the injuries sustained by the stars of the NBA are destroying the optimism in a handful of cities.

The question is, how concerned should the NBA be about the following injuries?

For some, the absence of their key players will be short-lived and relatively meaningless. For others, the severity of said ailments will severely damage their respective chances at experiencing postseason success.

So which injuries will hurt most?

Danilo Gallinari, Denver Nuggets

Position: Small Forward

Age: 24

Injury: Sprained Ankle

According to Benjamin Hochman of The Denver Post, Danilo Gallinari appears to be approaching a full recovery from his previously sprained ankle. As a result, he was listed as a game-time decision for the Nuggets game against the Orlando Magic on November 2.

A game which he ended up playing in.

"It's better than yesterday, but it's a sprained ankle, so we'll see how it goes tomorrow in shootaround," Danilo Gallinari said.

He also said, "Now, we'll have to see if I can run."

Judging by the fact that Gallo was active for the Nuggets game against the Orlando Magic, his ankle should be doing just fine. As a result, there is no reason for concern unless there is a potential reaggravation of the injury.

Gallinari is fine.

Threat Level: None

Manu Ginobili, San Antonio Spurs

Position: Shooting Guard

Age: 35

Injury: Back Spasms

When the Oklahoma City Thunder took on the San Antonio Spurs on November 1, many noticed the absence of former Sixth Man of the Year James Harden. What appears to have been lost, however, was the fact that another former Sixth Man of the Year was missing.

Manu Ginobili of the Spurs, who has been nursing back spasms.

According to Mike Monroe of Spurs Nation, Ginobili's absence is set to be capped off at just one game. San Antonio head coach Gregg Popovich stated that his off-guard is closing in on a return.

“[Ginobili]’s really close,” Popovich said. “I think he’ll be OK for the weekend. He hasn’t practiced in five, six, seven days and missed a game [Wednesday] night. It doesn’t make much sense for him to play when he hasn’t practiced or had any contact.”

This projection suggests that Ginobili will be available for the Spurs' home game against the Utah Jazz on Saturday, November 3.

Although an injury sustained by a 35 year old is always concerning, it appears as if the proper measures are being taken for a return. For that reason, there is minimal cause for concern with Ginobili's back spasms.

Threat Level: Low

Eric Gordon, New Orleans Hornets

Position: Shooting Guard

Age: 23

Injury: Knee Soreness 

Eric Gordon of the New Orleans Hornets has missed a collective 83 games over the past two seasons. In that time, he has made just nine appearances for the New Orleans Hornets, who promptly rewarded him with a $58 million contract (via ESPN).

Unfortunately, the Hornets will be required to show patience before seeing any returns on their investment.

Gordon continues to be bothered by his surgically repaired knee. The soreness in said knee forced him to miss the entire preseason and the Hornets' opening night loss to the San Antonio Spurs.

With that being established, there is reason for optimism. According to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports, Gordon could return in 4-to-6 weeks.

"

Hornets guard Eric Gordon tells Yahoo! Sports that a doctor in Chicago told him today he can return from his knee injury in 4-to-6 weeks.

— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) November 2, 2012"

Spears proceeds to state that no surgery will be required this time around.

"

Eric Gordon also told Yahoo! Sports he needs no further surgery and will to rehab and strengthening prior to return from knee injury.

— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) November 2, 2012"

After witnessing two years of misery, the threat that Gordon misses the entirety of the 2013 is a legitimate reality. Hold out hope that the rising star can maintain good health, but until he does, temper your expectations.

Threat Level: High

Danny Granger, Indiana Pacers

Position: Small Forward

Age: 29

Injury: Left Knee Soreness

Danny Granger's left knee injury is, arguably, the most under-reported story of the early season. After injuring a tendon in his knee during the postseason, many believed that an offseason of rest was all it would take for the seven-year veteran to recover.

Unfortunately, Granger tweaked the knee during the offseason.

According to Mark Montieth of NBA.com, Granger has been ruled out "indefinitely." Although it is unclear what Granger will have to go through to fully recover, this is usually the term utilized when a decision on surgery is being made.

More times than not, the decision is to go through with the procedure.

Fortunately for the Pacers, Gerald Green is available to fill the void at small forward. Although his season debut was underwhelming in quality, the athletic swingman should be able to offer quality performances in Granger's place.

The question is, how long will he need to step in for?

Threat Level: High

Nene Hilario, Washington Wizards

Position: Forward/Center

Age: 30

Injury: Plantar Fasciitis

Nene Hilario of the Washington Wizards is a player known for two things. For one, Nene has polished skills on both ends of the floor, which make him an All-Star caliber talent.

The other reason for recognition is his long history of injuries.

Nene had missed 237 games in his 10-year career, with the first game of the 2012-13 season, making it 238. The reason for his absence this time around is plantar fasciitis, which has ailed him since the London Olympics.

Michael Lee of the Washington Post reports that the injury will keep him sidelined "indefinitely."

"It’s a little hard but I’m on the right direction, and when I get back, for sure, I will be back 100 [percent] ready to help my team," Nene said. "That’s what I can say."

Nene went on to say, "Right now, I’m not going to be on the court, but I need to be around them. I know I can help just being close to them for certain moments. I’m blessed to be here."

In the meantime, the Wizards' young frontcourt players and coaching staff are singing Nene's praises as a leader and mentor.

"Another voice," [head coach Randy] Wittman said. "He’s done a lot of that. That’s important for those guys. Because you see it differently when you’re hurt and on the bench than when you are running up and down the floor, and I think it’s been a big help for some of our guys to hear that."

"He talk to me everyday on everything. I just try to listen," said Kevin Seraphin.

"He told me, ‘You got 81 more games left. Hold your head high,'" [Trevor] Booker said. "I look at him as my big brother. He definitely offers a lot of advice."

Nene's presence is clearly helping the Wizards' young players develop their game from both a mental and physical standpoint. His inability to play, however, could have severely damaging implications on the Wizards' postseason aspirations.

Until they've set a timetable for his return, the risk his high.

Threat Level: High

Corey Maggette, Detroit Pistons

Position: Small Forward

Age: 32

Injury: Sore Left Calf

According to Vincent Ellis of The Detroit Free Press, Corey Maggette continues to nurse a sore left calf. As a result, the 13-year veteran will miss his second consecutive game of the 2012-13 regular season.

Fortunately, he has begun to reach a significant level in the recovery process.

"

Maggette (sore left calf) still out, but was walking steps of US Airway Arena. #Pistons #Suns

— Vincent Ellis (@Vincent_Ellis56) November 2, 2012"

With this being established, it's reasonable to believe that Maggette will return sooner rather than later. As a result, the threat level will be established as medium.

The threat for reinjury is higher than normal, as Maggette is 32 years old. With that being said, there is no reason to believe that he will fail to recover.

The Pistons will have their Sixth Man in the near future.

Threat Level: Medium

Steve Nash, Los Angeles Lakers

Position: Point Guard

Age: 38

Injury: Left Leg Contusion

UPDATE (11/2/12 at 9:30 p.m. EDT): Steve Nash has been ruled out against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Steve Nash left the Los Angeles Lakers' 116-106 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers after sustaining a left leg injury in the second quarter (via ESPN). Nash would attempt to come back after halftime, but left within minutes of the third quarter.

He would not return after that.

Dave McMenamin of ESPN Los Angeles reports that, days later, the injury continues to bother Nash. As a result, he has been labeled as a game-time decision for the Lakers' battle with the in-city rival Los Angeles Clippers on November 2.

"I'm not sure, he didn't go through shootaround, so we'll see," Lakers coach Mike Brown said. "It doesn't look good, but they have not ruled him out yet."

"He got dinged pretty good, but he has made progress," Brown said.

As for what will happen if Nash misses tonight's game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Lakers fans need not worry. Dwight Howard is fully prepared to step in and play point guard.

"If (Nash) doesn't play tonight, we've been going over a lot of film in the back and I've been working on my guard skills the last two days," Howard said. "Right now, we just want the win and I'll be the point. ... Tragic Johnson, that's what they'll call me."

Confidence restored.

There is no reason to believe Nash will miss a significant period of time. The 16-year veteran has proven to be one of the true warriors of the NBA, suggesting that he will battle any injuries he's faced with.

Until his return, however, there is a chance that Nash misses enough time to impact the Lakers' pursuit of the top seed in the Western Conference.

Threat Level: Medium