NBA Injury Analysis: Hiatus Allows Portland to Heal

Jeff Stotts, certified athletic trainer and RotoWire's injury guru, checks in on the injuries impacting fantasy basketball leading up to the resumption of the 2019-20 season July 30.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

A mere five days before league play was halted, Antetokounmpo suffered a knee injury following a dunk. The injury was ultimately diagnosed as a "minor joint capsule sprain" and Antetokounmpo did not play in Milwaukee's final two games. 

The joint capsule of the knee is an intricate covering that engulfs the joint and includes the kneecap, both menisci, several bursa sacs, and multiple stabilizing ligaments of the knee. The capsule is involved in active and passive stabilization of the knee while playing a key role in motion. 

Most capsule injuries involve the outer portion of the knee. This area is particularly complex and includes the iliotibial tract (IT band), lateral meniscus, as well as an assortment of tendons and ligaments. Unfortunately, this design makes the lateral capsule vulnerable to injury. Additionally, isolated capsule injuries are relatively uncommon and most injuries to the area are accompanied by additional damage to the surrounding structures. Thankfully, it appears Antetokounmpo avoided any serious damage and the team had hoped a brief layoff would allow him to return. The league hiatus extended that short timeline and now Milwaukee is reporting that their MVP is "completely and totally healthy." Look for Giannis to pick up right where he left off as one of the league's top talents and a versatile fantasy option.

LaMarcus Aldridge

While some players used the hiatus to heal and recuperate, Aldridge opted to go under the knife to address a shoulder injury. Aldridge underwent an "arthroscopic subacromial decompression and rotator cuff debridement on his right shoulder."

The described procedure is used to address an impingement in the area where the tendons of the rotator cuff enter the ball-and-socket joint of the shoulder. Surgical tools are used to remove irritating bone tissue from the acromion, a bony projection from the shoulder blade, and any other built-up scar tissue. The approach creates more space within the area, preventing further impingement. 

The return to play rate following similar procedures is high and Aldridge should be ready to go for the 2020-21 season but he will not enter the Orlando bubble with the rest of his San Antonio teammates. Look for Jakob Poeltl, fully recovered from an MCL sprain, to replace Aldridge in the starting lineup with Trey Lyles seeing a bump in minutes.

Spencer Dinwiddie, DeAndre Jordan, and Taurean Prince 

Brooklyn was the team hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic. Jordan, Dinwiddie, and Prince have all been ruled out for the restart after contracting the virus. Jordan's decision to not play following his diagnosis is unsurprising given his history of respiratory illness. Jordan has battled asthma throughout his career and missed time with pneumonia multiple times during his playing career. The Nets hit the free-agent market for substitutes, signing veterans Jamal Crawford and Michael Beasley and G League standouts Justin Anderson and Donta Hall. 

Zach Collins and Jusuf Nurkic

In Portland, the Blazers' frontcourt is about to get a big boost as both Collins and Nurkic are expected to return when the season resumes. Collins missed 63 games after tearing the labrum in his left shoulder while Nurkic had yet to return from the gruesome left fracture he suffered in March of 2019. Both players have been cleared to play and coach Terry Stotts said he doesn't foresee either seven-footer playing with a minutes restriction. How Nukric will fit alongside center Hassan Whiteside remains to be seen, but it could easily have a negative impact on Whiteside's fantasy productivity. 

Victor Oladipo

The Pacers All-Star will not play in Orlando as he continues to rehab the quadriceps tendon tear he suffered in the 2019-20 season. Oladipo returned to action a little over one year after suffering the injury, appearing in 13 games for Indiana while playing on a minutes cap and sitting out back-to-backs. In the game he played, Oladipo averaged a respectable 13.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists all on a career-low 25.9 minutes per game. However, he admitted he was still working his way into shape and cited fear of re-injury as the primary reason for his decision to skip the restart. Oladipo has one more year on his contract and wants to focus on the longevity of his career.

Oladipo's decision isn't without merit as returning to sport after a prolonged period of inactivity or restricted activity can elevate an individual's level of injury risk, particularly soft tissue injuries. Biomechanical properties like tendon elasticity or muscle mass can quickly change when activity drops, opening the door for injuries. Furthermore, league-wide restrictions placed a lot of athletes in unprecedented situations where they didn't have their normal access to treatment or workouts, even if they attempted to do so virtually. As a result, it's unsurprising to see Oladipo take a long-term approach with health.

With Oladipo out, Malcolm Brogdon, cleared after his own bout with COVID-19, will carry a workload similar to how he started the season. Brogdon averaged 17.1 points, 7.3 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game in 30.1 minutes during the 33 games he played prior to Oladipo's return. Aaron Holiday is the biggest benefactor from Oladipo's absence and in line for an increase in usage. Holiday averaged 11.8 points. 4.8 assists and 1.1 steals per game in 26 starts this season.

Marvin Bagley

The former number two overall pick has been limited to 13 games played this season due to a lingering midfoot sprain and a fractured thumb. The time off allowed Bagley's foot to adequately heal and gave him extra time to add extra muscle to his frame. Bagley is confident his new physique will allow him to better withstand playing the center position. However, the Kings remain tight-lipped about how he will be utilized in their eight "seeding" games and it seems unlikely he will unseat Harrison Barnes or Nemanja Bjelica to join the starting unit. As a result, Bagley may not have much fantasy value for the restart but a strong showing could help reestablish his value for the 2020-21 season.

Jaylen Brown

The Celtics forward was in street clothes in Boston's four games leading into the hiatus due to a hamstring strain. Hamstring strains are notoriously fickle injuries and patience during the recovery phase is a key component of a complete recovery. Fortunately, the extended break forced Brown to prolong his recovery process and prevented him from returning prematurely. Look for him to return to the court at top form.