With just a handful of games left, entire rosters are feeling the wear of the season and the injuries have spread from the starters to the backups to the backups’ backups. Odds are you are fighting your last week without the help of typically reliable stars like Dwyane Wade, Joakim Noah, Tyson Chandler, Josh Smith, and Al Horford. Let’s take a look at who’s resting up for the postseason and who’s suiting up in their place.
Luol Deng (hip): Deng missed Sunday’s game against the Pistons with a bruised hip and the Bulls will continue to rest him on Tuesday against the Raptors. Look for Nate Robinson to be the biggest beneficiary in his absence.
Joakim Noah (foot): Noah returned with 21 minutes against the Pistons on Sunday but has apparently suffered a setback and will not play in Tuesday’s game against the Raptors. Carlos Boozer and Nazr Mohammed will likely split his minutes.
Al Horford (hamstring): Horford returned to practice Monday after missing Saturday’s game against the Spurs and has a good chance to play in Wednesday’s game against Philly but check his gametime status.
Josh Smith (knee): Smith missed Saturday’s game against San Antonio and sat out Monday’s practice. He is questionable for Wednesday’s game against the Sixers.
Devin Harris (toe): Harris practiced Monday after missing three straight with a toe injury and has a good chance to play in Wednesday’s game against the 76ers.
Byron Mullens (elbow): Mullens lasted just four minutes in Saturday’s game against the Nets after missing five straight with an ankle injury. He left the game with an elbow injury and at this point doesn’t figure to be a fantasy factor in any sense.
C.J. Miles (concussion): Miles left Sunday’s game against the Magic with a concussion and doesn’t figure to be a fantasy factor the rest of the season.
Dirk Nowitzki (foot): Nowitzki hurt his foot in Sunday’s game against the Blazers but expects to play Wednesday against the Suns.
Elton Brand (calf): Brand has missed three straight with a sore calf but participated in Monday’s practice. He will be a gametime call for Wednesday’s game against the Suns.
Ty Lawson (heel): Lawson will attempt to return for the Nuggets’ final two or three games but don’t expect him to be at 100% or play full minutes.
Danilo Gallinari (knee): Gallinari will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL. Wilson Chandler, Corey Brewer, and Jordan Hamilton should all see added minutes.
Jose Calderon (arm): Calderon has missed two of the Pistons’ last three games with a strained triceps tendon and is not likely to play in Wednesday’s game against the Cavs. There is also the chance the Pistons shut him down completely. Expect Rodney Stuckey and Will Bynum to get a bump in minutes.
Carlos Delfino (illness): Delfino has now missed three straight with an illness and is being considered a 50-50 shot to suit up for Tuesday’s game against the Suns.
Chandler Parsons (calf): Parsons has missed three of the Rockets’ last four games and will not play in Tuesday’s game against the Suns. Greg Smith and Francisco Garcia figure to gain more minutes with Parsons and maybe Delfino out.
Metta World Peace (knee): The artist formerly known as Ron Artest says he intends to start in Tuesday’s game against the Hornet just 12 days after his knee surgery.
Steve Nash (hamstring): Nash has now missed three straight with a sore hamstring and is listed as doubtful for Tuesday’s game against the Hornets. Expect Steve Blake to have above average minutes.
Chris Bosh (illness): Bosh missed Saturday’s game against the Sixers with a knee injury and was held out of practice Monday with an illness. He will be a gametime decision for Tuesday’s game against the Bucks.
Dwyane Wade (ankle): Wade has now missed four straight with an ankle injury and will not play in Tuesday’s game against the Bucks. There is a chance that he doesn’t again at all this year and a very good chance that he at least doesn’t play a full load in a regular season game.
Jameer Nelson (ankle): Nelson has now missed five straight with an ankle injury and is still listed as day-to-day. Expect Beno Udrih to continue to roll if Nelson remains out.
Jermaine O’Neal (leg): O’Neal missed Sunday’s game against the Hornets with a bruised shin but is expected to play in Tuesday’s game against the Rockets.
Wesley Matthews (ankle): Matthews left Sunday’s game against the Mavs with a severely sprained ankle. He is in a walking boot right now so don’t expect him to contribute the rest of the season. Look for Will Barton to pick up his minutes.
Nicolas Batum (shoulder): Batum has missed three straight with a shoulder injury but hopes to return to the court this week. He is listed as day-to-day and will require reevaluation before he can return. Expect Victor Claver to start in his place if he continues to sit.
Patrick Patterson (back/hand): Patterson missed Sunday’s game with back spasms and is listed day-to-day heading into Wednesday’s game against the Hornets.
Emeka Okafor (arm): Okafor sprained his arm in Sunday’s game against the Celtics but expects to play in Tuesday’s game against the Knicks.
Joe Johnson (heel): Johnson has played in the Nets’ last two games but is questionable to play Tuesday against the 76ers as the team hopes to give him some rest heading into the playoffs. Look for MarShon Brooks to take over his minutes if he sits.
Tyson Chandler (neck): After playing four games, Chandler is once again having neck problems and is listed as doubtful for Tuesday’s game against the Wizards.
