This week’s injury report is probably the most crowded one we have had all season. The All-Star break is usually that turning point in the season when players really start to feel the wear and tear of the first 50 games or so. Luckily, many teams will use the All-Star break to heal up their players and some guys will come back fully recovered. Of course, in the case of Jason Richardson and possibly Pau Gasol, some might not come back at all. Let’s take a look at some guys to avoid heading into the All-Star weekend.
Kirk Hinrich (elbow): Hinrich missed his sixth straight game Monday with an elbow infection and is listed as questionable for Wednesday’s game against Boston. If he can’t go once again, Nate Robinson remains an excellent fantasy option.
Chris Kaman (concussion): Kaman missed his seventh straight game Monday with a concussion and is likely out until the All-Star break. Kaman hasn’t been able to pass the league’s concussion test but will be able to return as soon as he does.
Jarrett Jack (shoulder): Jack has missed the Warriors’ last three games with a shoulder injury and is questionable for Tuesday’s game against Houston. With a short week headed into the All-Star break, he likely isn’t worth starting until next week anyway.
Andrew Bogut (ankle): Bogut is still recovering from his ankle injury and the Warriors aren’t letting him play in back-to-back games right now so keep an eye on his status before starting him.
Danny Granger (knee): Granger is in full practice after spending the entire season thus far recovering from knee surgery and could return for Wednesday’s game against the Bobcats. He will be very limited early on so don’t rush to start him just yet.
Larry Sanders (back): Sanders missed his third straight game Monday against the Wizards and will likely be out until after the All-Star weekend. Samuel Dalembert will start in his place and has been playing very well in Sanders’ absence.
Andrei Kirilenko (quad): Kirilenko will miss Wednesday’s game against the Jazz which means he’ll likely be back following the All-Star break. The 31-year-old is looking as good as ever this year and should be held on to in just about every league.
Chauncey Billups (back): After just returning from a foot injury, Billups is back on the mend with a sore back. He is questionable for Wednesday’s game against the Rockets so keep an eye on his status.
Andrea Bargnani (illness): While trade rumors swirl around, Bargnani missed Sunday’s game against the Hornets with an illness and will be a game-time call for Tuesday’s game against Denver.
Pau Gasol (foot): Gasol won’t need surgery to repair a torn plantar fascia in his foot but will be out approximately six to eight weeks which means he could miss the rest of the fantasy season. Earl Clark is the only viable fantasy option that stands to benefit from his absence and is worth a pickup.
Jason Richardson (knee): After getting four different opinions, Richardson will undergo knee surgery and miss the rest of the season. Nick Young will replace him in the lineup and is a pretty good fantasy option in most leagues already.
Andre Drummond (back): Drummond is expected to be out four-to-six weeks with a broken tailbone. Charlie Villanueva figures to get more minutes until Drummond returns and is a deeper league fantasy option.
