Fantasy Basketball Injury Analysis: Mudiay, Curry, Bledsoe, Rose
The Golden State Warriors
The league's best team is suddenly dealing with a rash of injuries that have left them short-handed and a bit vulnerable. It starts at the top with reigning MVP Stephen Curry nursing a bruised left shin. The injury initially occurred in a win over the Kings and would keep Curry sidelined for the next two games. He returned Saturday against the Nuggets but exited after just 14 minutes following a collision with Denver point guard Jameer Nelson that aggravated the area.
While it seems a bit silly that a bruise would affect a professional athlete in such a manner, it is likely Curry's injury is more complex than the name suggests. Most people associate the term bruise with a soft tissue contusion. However, given the description of Curry's issue, it is more likely he is dealing with a periosteal bruise, better known as a bone bruise.
The shin is formed from the shaft of the tibia. The mid-shaft sits very superficially with very little muscle or fat surrounding it. As a result, the bone is susceptible to injury, often following a direct blow. Most bones, including the tibia, are reinforced by an outer membrane known as the periosteum. The periosteum is thin but dense, providing strength to the bone. A bone bruise occurs when small but incomplete cracks develop in this layer. Based on the nature of the damage, bone contusions often require a lengthier recovery window than a soft tissue bruise as the body's natural healing process must build new bone tissue to fill in the gaps. Associated symptoms, including pain and swelling, must also be managed.
Curry is questionable for Monday's game against the Hornets and it wouldn't be surprising to see him sit at least one more game. The Warriors have a four-game slate this week which eases the blow for those in weekly formats but fantasy owners will want to keep any eye on the situation as it develops throughout the day.
Golden State's backcourt depth has been further thinned as the team has been without Brandon Rush (hamstring), James Michael McAdoo (toe sprain) and Leandro Barbosa (shoulder sprain). A toe sprain for big man Festus Ezeli only amplifies the problem. McAdoo and Barbosa have already been ruled for Monday's game and Ezeli is questionable. Rush is likely to play, as is forward Harrison Barnes. Barnes has missed the team's last 16 games after suffering a left ankle sprain. Snag Barnes if someone unwisely dropped him over the last few weeks.
Emmanuel Mudiay
The Nuggets' rookie point guard has missed 12 games with an ankle injury though a recent revelation helps explain the reason for his extended absence. When the injury initially occurred it was simply called an ankle sprain. However, over the past few days the Nuggets have provided more insight to the injury, referring to it as deltoid sprain.
Most ankle sprains occur when the joint is forced into inversion, placing excessive stress on the ligaments located on the outside portion of the foot. However, if the foot is forced in the opposite direction, in a motion known as eversion, the inside of the foot is affected. This area is stabilized by the deltoid ligament, one arranged in a triangular pattern. This arrangement strengthens the deltoid and helps fortify the area. In fact, the deltoid ligament is so strong that the bone here often breaks away before the ligament fails.
While it appears Mudiay avoided an avulsion fracture, medial ankle sprains are difficult to manage and often require additional recovery time. Coach Mike Malone is optimistic Mudiay will return within the week though fantasy owners should let him get re-acclimated to the game before employing him with confidence.
Fast Breaks
Eric Bledsoe
Last week I detailed Bledsoe's meniscus injury and explained the difference between a removal and a repair. While early reports suggested Bledsoe would be back in six weeks, the timeline dramatically shifted following the procedure. During the operation, the surgeon was able to perform a true repair. By preserving the cartilage in Bledsoe's knee, he has a better long-term outcome and is less likely to develop things like osteoarthritis. However, it comes at the cost of this season, as a repair is accompanied by a longer recovery. The Suns will play out the year without Bledsoe and lean heavily on Brandon Knight and veteran Ronnie Price.
Jarrett Jack
The Nets veteran point guard will miss the remainder of the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial meniscus in his right knee. Surgery will be performed in the near future and the timing of the injury should allow Jack to be ready for the start of next season. Shane Larkin and Donald Sloan move up the depth chart, with Larkin the most likely to join the starting unit.
Damian Lillard
Portland is hoping to have Lillard back in the lineup as early as Monday. Lillard has been sidelined for seven games with plantar fasciitis in his left foot. However, he recently returned to practice and completed a vigorous workout prior to Sunday's win over the Nuggets. Lillard has been too good this season to consider benching, though keep in mind his injury is easily aggravated and often reoccurring, elevating his inherent injury risk for the immediate future.
Derrick Rose
The Bulls guard continues to miss time with tendinitis in his right hamstring. He's slated for a MRI on Monday though the team is trying to downplay the severity of the situation. Given Rose's lengthy injury history and overall lack of productivity, consider looking elsewhere or completely moving on from the 2011 MVP.
Deron Williams
D-Will returned from a four-game absence over the weekend but felt his previously strained hamstring tighten on the second night of a back-to-back. As a result, he did not finish the team's loss to the Pelicans and remains a question mark entering the week. Hamstring injuries can be very fickle and a calf strain earlier in the season complicates things. Dallas has a loaded schedule in January and needs Williams to be at full strength. Therefore, it makes sense for the Mavs to sit him a few more games and then firmly manage his minutes until he returns to 100 percent. Look for J.J. Barea to remain in the starting lineup with Raymond Felton playing extra minutes off the bench, especially with teammate Devin Harris nursing a lower back injury. Barea has been a fantasy friendly option of late, averaging 17.5 points, 6.2 assists and 3.2 made three-pointers per game since joining the starting unit.
