The 2018 NBA Playoffs are fast approaching, but injuries are going to play a huge role in who advances and who gets left behind. Inside Injuries has highlighted injuries that will have the greatest impact on the playoffs and if they could affect each player’s effectiveness if/when they return.
Steph Curry GS: MCL sprain and right ankle sprains
The injuries that could most affect the playoffs this year are Steph Curry’s MCL sprain and right ankle issues. It’s possible Curry can get back out there in the second round, but given that the rest of the Warriors’ starting lineup is also beat up, there is a chance the reigning champs don’t make it that far. Now, we don’t think this scenario is extremely likely, but it’s possible. The Warriors have won the Championship without Kevin Durant, but they haven’t been able to win it without the help of Steph Curry, one of the best, if not the best point guard in the league. If/When Curry returns, he won’t be near 100% and his mobility will be shot. The Warriors have depth, but with three of their best players banged up, it’s not looking good.
Klay Thompson GS: fractured right thumb
Klay Thompson may have returned to action after suffering a fracture in his right thumb, but this is still an injury to watch. Thompson returned after missing just over two weeks, but the Inside Injuries metrics indicate that he should have missed closer to six weeks. It would only take a small tweak to put him back on the sidelines for a multi-week absence, and a re-injury could even require surgery. The Warriors have locked in the No. 2 spot in the West, but the starting lineup is full of injury concerns.
Chris Paul HOU: left knee, hamstring, hip injuries
Chris Paul has a relatively long injury history and has already missed a total of 23 games to injury this season. It’s 
possible the Rockets are being cautious with Paul before the start of the post-season, but he’s dealt with left knee, hamstring, and hip injuries in the past two weeks. His durability is a concern at this point and he will not be entering the playoffs at 100%. Paul has played a major role in the Rockets’ success this season, and they will need him healthy if the Rockets expect to overthrow the reigning champs.
Kevin Durant GS: rib fracture
The one piece of good fortune the Warriors received last week was Kevin Durant’s return from a ribs injury, though he was ejected in his first game back. He’s going to be at an increased injury risk for the foreseeable future, but it’s definitely possible to play through rib injuries. The issue here will be pain management. The Warriors entire starting lineup is beat up, and this injury just adds to their concerns.
John Wall WAS: left knee surgery
John Wall has returned to action, and the Wizards are back in it. Wall is an integral part of the Wizards lineup, but the team was able to hold on to a playoff spot while he was out recovering from left knee surgery. Wall is past his eight week Optimal Recovery Time, but he’s still a High Injury Risk. His quickness and explosiveness will be affected in his first few weeks back, but he should still be able to contribute. Having Wall back in the lineup is a game-changer for the Wizards.
Jimmy Butler MIN: right meniscus surgery
Jimmy Butler returned last week after undergoing surgery to repair a torn right meniscus on February 23rd. He’s looked healthy in the games he has played so far, but he’s still an Elevated Injury Risk. Butler is nearly seven weeks removed from surgery, but the concern remains because he only underwent a meniscus trim, not a full repair. A full repair comes with a much longer recovery time, but it’s a better fix in the long run.
Kyrie Irving BOS: left knee surgery
Kyrie Irving underwent surgery to remove two screws from the patella in his left knee after a pathology report revealed a bacterial infection at the hardware site. The Celtics are giving Irving a 4-5 month recovery timetable, which means he will miss the playoffs. Irving should be able to participate in training camp.
Kevin Love CLE: fractured fifth metacarpal, concussion
Kevin Love’s durability is a major question mark going into the 2018 playoffs. He missed 20 games after fracturing a fifth metacarpal in January and recently returned from a concussion. He’s a High Injury Risk and will remain a concern throughout the playoffs. Love is one of the few veterans left on the Cavs’ roster, and his leadership will be necessary to win the Eastern Conference. Unfortunately, he won’t be at his best this post-season.
Kawhi Leonard SAS: left quadriceps tendinitis
At this point, the Spurs have pretty much given up all hope that Kawhi Leonard will return at any point this season. Leonard still doesn’t feel 100%, and even if he returned today, he would only have a few days to get playoff ready. Having Kawhi back would be a game-changer for the Spurs, but the chances he returns are slim to none.
Joel Embiid PHI: concussion and orbital fracture
The Sixers seem to think Joel Embiid could be return to action in as little as two weeks, but the Inside Injuries algorithm is suggesting it should be closer to four weeks. The big guy underwent surgery to repair an orbital fracture last Saturday, and Embiid also suffered a concussion (he has since been cleared). One of the main reasons we think Embiid is going to be out longer than usual is that this is Embiid’s second orbital fracture. Embiid will almost definitely wear a mask once he’s cleared to return, but the injury risk remains. Luckily this isn’t an injury to Embiid’s troublesome foot or knee, but it’s still not good news for this young Sixers team.
Markelle Fultz PHI: right shoulder injury
Markelle Fultz finally returned to action last Monday after missing almost the entire season with lingering right shoulder problems. It’s still not entirely clear what was going on with Fultz’s shoulder. The consensus seems to be that scapular muscle imbalance ruined Fultz’s shooting mechanics. Fultz is backing up Ben Simmons at PG, but it’s an added bonus to have their 2017 No. 1 pick out there considering Embiid may miss the first round of the playoffs. Fultz is an Elevated Injury Risk going into the post-season.
DeMar DeRozan TOR: left thigh contusion
This left thigh contusion isn’t a major concern given DeRozan only missed one game to the injury back in March and has played in nine of the Raptors’ last 10 games. DeRozan has stayed relatively healthy this season and the Raptors are one of the healthiest teams in the playoffs, so this shouldn’t have too much affect on Toronto’s run. Large muscle injuries can sometimes linger though, so there’s a chance this injury flares up again in the postseason.
George Hill CLE: left ankle sprain
Anytime George Hill goes down with an injury it’s a concern. The point guard sprained his ankle and missed four games recovering but has since returned to the lineup. Hill has had his fair share of ankle injuries, so this could definitely come back to haunt him in the post-season. The Inside Injuries algorithm calculated a 2-3 week Optimal Recovery Time for the ankle sprain. Hill returned before that timetable so he’s playing at an Elevated Injury Risk. Luckily for the Cavs, this has actually been one of Hill’s healthiest seasons in recent memory.
Giannis Antetokounmpo MIL: right ankle soreness
Giannis has now missed two games to right ankle soreness, and while it’s possible the Bucks are just resting him before the playoffs, there is definitely cause for concern. Antetokounmpo missed time back in late March to an ankle sprain and was listed with a right ankle tweak in February, so this could be lingering soreness from a previous injury. The Inside Injuries algorithm has calculated a two week Optimal Recovery Time until Giannis is healthy enough to return, but we doubt he sits at all during the first round. He’ll be playing at an Elevated Injury Risk.
Malcolm Brogdon MIL: partially torn left quadriceps
Brogdon returned to action with just two days left in the regular season after missing the past nine weeks recovering from a partially torn left quadriceps. He’s passed his 6-8 week Optimal Recovery Time, but he is still going to be an Elevated Injury Risk for at least the next few weeks. Large muscle injuries come with tricky recoveries and tend to linger, so there is some concern here. Brogdon may also need a few games to shake off the rust and get his conditioning up to speed.
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