Injury Returners Who Could Make a Big Impact

We are almost a third of the way through the NBA season and lots of key talent will be returning to rosters sooner than you think.  Teams are still missing some guys who can make a big impact on the floor for them and these guys are eager to get back out on the floor.  While they have been away their teams have held their own but with their help they can finally bring their team to where they have wanted to be all season long.  Let’s take a look at some guys who will be a big help when they return this season.

PG Isaiah Thomas, CLE

Isaiah as we know is among the top guards in the league, especially when it comes to putting the ball in the hoop.  He is currently rehabbing a torn labrum in his hip and further damage that occurred during the Eastern Conference Finals last season and has been progressing extremely well.  Thomas has been competing in 4v4 drills in practice and is almost set to make a return to the court.  The Cavaliers have set mid-late December as the target time for his return and what better a time to have him back.  The Cavs have hit a hot streak playing their best basketball yet and the addition of IT only makes them better.  Going to be exciting to see Isaiah get back on the court in Cleveland.

SG Zach Lavine, CHI

The 2-time Slam Dunk Champion is almost ready to hit the floor with the Chicago Bulls and they desperately need him back on the court.  While Lauri Markkanen and Kris Dunn have been playing very well they need Lavine to help steer the ship and get them higher up the standings in the Eastern Conference.  Lavine tore his ACL in February of last year making it 11 months since the injury in January.  While the team does present a weak roster this is an extremely open conference and the addition of Lavine could give them that extra help that they have been searching for.  Lavine has been working out with the G-League affiliate for the Bulls and is aiming for the first week in January for his return.  Chicago wants to see him participate in 10 practices in a row before he makes his debut for the Bulls.

PF Jabari Parker, MIL

A former #2 overall selection in the 2014 NBA Draft, Parker is currently targeting a mid-February return to the floor.  The Bucks are currently sitting 6th in the Eastern Conference, and with the addition of Parker to an already dominant starting lineup, the team can start getting into the ECF conversation.  While they are still young they are definitely a team to be thinking about in the very near future.  I am curious to see how Jabari bounces back from this injury, as it is a rather serious injury.  Not only did he tear his ACL but he tore the same ACL for the second time (first in December 2014).  Not only will it be something to watch physically but mentally how well he stays confident in himself and his knee will determine how well he bounces back from this injury.  When he does return, the Bucks will be ready and waiting to take their young team to the next step.  

SF Gordon Hayward, BOS

The toughest loss for any team this season was that of Gordon Hayward to the Boston Celtics.  A bigtime free agent fresh off a new deal and ready to move forward with Kyrie Irving and Al Horford came abruptly to an end 5 minutes into his first action of the season.  Hayward suffered a dislocated ankle and fractured tibia in his left leg which looked to be a rather gruesome injury.  The great news is that the injury was clean and there was no further damage to any other parts of his leg.  For the last two months Hayward was in a walking boot which he has shed as of 12/13 and is on his road to recovery.  This is extremely promising for Celtics fans, as there is a possibility he returns late in the season, possibly the postseason.  While it is a small chance, he has made great progression with his injury and has been very positive in the rehab process.  While there is no timetable for his injury, a possible return would absolutely be huge for the Celtics who hold the best record in the entire league at 24-6.  While his return seems unlikely, the chance is still there and would be exciting to see a return this season.

SG Markelle Fultz, PHI

The #1 overall pick in this years draft has barely started his career in the NBA.  I guess he was struck with the Sixers curse of picking up an injury before barely even playing, but nevertheless Fultz is on his way to returning to the court.  Markelle is still out for the next 3 weeks following a mysterious shoulder injury which still doesn’t really have a label to it.  Speculation is that Fultz changed his shooting form, which lead to the shoulder soreness and then the injury, but who really knows with the Sixers.  He hasn’t played a game since October 25th and the Sixers are in need of the pick that they covetted so heavily.  Philadelphia sits at 14-13 on the year and with the return of Fultz in January the Sixers could become a team to talk about.  While they are still far away from winning the conference, getting all their young talent together on the floor at once would be the best situation for them going forward.

SG Devin Booker, PHX

The sharpshooting 2 guard is one of the most desperate needs for return on this list.  While the other teams above are playing solid, the Suns are completely lost without their money man.  Booker is a key contributor to their scoring with 24.3 ppg.  That said, he would make the biggest impact for his team returning from injury.  He suffered a left groin strain and was initially given a 2-3 week break from action due to the injury and the Suns are saying he could return before Christmas Day.  The good news is the initial prediction is true and the Suns should be adding him back to the lineup very soon.  They are in desperate need of his help as they have fell to 8-21 and are falling into a deep, dark hole in the Western Conference.  While he won’t give them any type of playoff push, he will certainly give them a couple more wins and not have them in the top 5 of the lottery again.

PG Stephen Curry, GSW

Two time MVP Steph Curry has hit a tough road block in his 2017-18 campaign.  He suffered an ankle injury that is set “to be reevaluated in a couple of weeks”.  That being said the Warriors will miss their point guard on the floor and this could open the door for the Rockets to gain a nice cushion on their lead in the West.  The initial report was that his ankle swelled to the size of a basketball, the good news is that his MRI came back clean for any further damage and Curry should be back to the floor come January.  It won’t be too tough for the Warriors without Curry, as they have tons of talent and depth to fill his spot, but the addition of Curry will be much appreciated.  When he returns look for the Warriors to put their foot on the gas and never look back.  

Written by Nick Kazandjian