This was originally going to be a piece on how David Lee’s series-ending hip injury pretty much killed all of Golden State’s hopes. But then they put on a shooting clinic, going for 131 points on 65% shooting. I saw them winning a game or two, but didn’t expect them to give Denver such headaches especially sans Lee.
But that’s exactly what an injury come playoff time can do for you: alter the chemistry of a series. Sometimes for the good.
Below is an injury update on the 2013 NBA Playoffs, ranked from most pertinent to least given today’s schedule and the series forecast.
1. Josh Smith – The Build-a-Bums, also known as the Atlanta Hawks, have no verifiable chance against Indiana. But Smith can be an overwhelming force when used right and motivated. He’s expected to play tonight despite a sprained right ankle. A hobbled Smith isn’t rosy news for Hawks fans as they’ll need all the rebounding they can muster against the Pacers. As the team’s second-leading rebounder (8.4), a healthy Smith can provide that.
2. Jodie Meeks & Jordan Hill – Having Jordan Hill back in a lineup at this time of year is as surprising as the Lakers actually being in the playoffs. But the Lakers can use his size and 6.7 points a game against the Spurs. Meeks tweaked his ankle in the first game against San Antonio, and they’ll need him tonight if they expect to level the series at 1-1.
4. George Hill – Hill seems like a quiet guy on an already even tempered team, so he hasn’t drawn much attention to his hip injury. But keep your eye on his status. They play tonight against Atlanta and will need him to play as well as he did in the series opener. Only Lance Stephenson (plus-24) had a better +/- rating than Hill (plus-19) on the Pacers team that game.
5. Steve Nash – He’ll never be Steve Nash again. Having him on the court is still D’Antoni’s number one wish, however, even though he’s still nursing a number of injuries. He should get that wish tonight.
6. Stephen Curry – Considering his performance during yesterday’s Game 2 against Denver, it’s easy to forget that Curry rolled an ankle. But half of what Mark Jackson has called the “greatest shooting backcourt in the history of the game” has fragile ankles and without him, the Warriors aren’t going anywhere.
7. Larry Sanders – Even with a DPOY-in-the-making, the Bucks have zero chance against the Miami Heat. But Sanders has caused some defensive troubles for the Heat squad. He played after his ankle roll yesterday but oftentimes those type of injuries worsen after some time off.
8. Kevin Martin & Kendrick Perkins – Neither are hurt enough to sit out tonight’s game but the playoffs can take some major wear on players’ bodies. Martin has been dealing with back issues and Perkins with a hamstring injury. Surely Scott Brooks is doing his best to keep them in playing form for what will be a tough round 2. So perhaps they see limited minutes tonight.
9. Boris Diaw – Is still out with a sprained lumbar facet.
