Author: Special from InsideInjuries.com
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but he may miss a few more games. AP Photo/Michael Conroy
Heat’s Goran Dragic and Tyler Johnson Nursing Injuries
Goran Dragic suffered a bruised right knee on Friday, causing him to miss both Saturday and Monday’s games. It’s not clear if he sustained contact during the game or if the bruising was a result of wear and tear. The Inside Injuries algorithm is calculating a one to two week Optimal Recovery Time for Dragic’s bruised knee. Dragic has a long injury history but this is the first injury to his knee in recent years.
Tyler Johnson exited last Monday’s game with a left ankle injury. X-rays were negative, and he was not required to undergo an MRI. The Heat’s medical staff diagnosed Johnson with a sprained left ankle. The Inside Injuries algorithm calculated a grade 1 sprain and a 2-3 week Optimal Recovery Time. Johnson has already missed the past four games and won’t be healthy enough to play for at least the next week.
Jimmy Butler was a surprise inactive on Saturday with a knee injury. It’s possible that he was just sore after playing 42 minutes on Thursday night. The Timberwolves are calling it a “sore right knee” for now, but the fact that Butler was ruled out of Monday’s game so early suggests it’s something more serious. Butler has a history of left knee problems, but he hasn’t had any right knee problems in the past five years. Butler is an Elevated Injury Risk and needs at least one week of rest before he’s back to 100 percent.
Rodney Hood UTA: lower left leg contusion
Rodney Hood suffered a lower left leg contusion late in Friday’s game and has missed the past two games recovering. Hood has a long history of injuries, and his lower body never seems to be healthy. He should be considered questionable going forward, but the Inside Injuries algorithm has calculated a 2-3 week Optimal Recovery Time. Hood is always on the injury report for one reason or another, making him a High Injury Risk.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope suffered an Achilles strain in the second half of Wednesday’s game, and though he tried to participate in warm-ups before the start of the third quarter, he was eventually ruled out. KCP dealt with a right Achilles injury in 2015, so this could be an aggravation of a lingering injury. Achilles injuries can be tricky, so the Inside Injuries algorithm has calculated at least three weeks of recovery time for the strain.
Kyrie Irving was receiving treatment on his left shoulder before playing 41 minutes in last Tuesday’s game. Playing through the injury aggravated it, and Irving missed practice on Wednesday due to soreness. An MRI on his shoulder came back negative and coach Brad Stevens “does not believe it will be a long-term issue.” After a few days of rest, Irving was able to participate in practice on Saturday and was back in the lineup on Sunday. His shoulder looked like a non-issue as Kyrie put up a game-high 40 points, but we do think this is something to keep an eye on.
Giannis Antetokounmpo will miss the next two games to “manage soreness in his right knee.” The Bucks released a statement on Saturday saying: “By not playing in Saturday’s game at Philadelphia and Monday’s home game vs. Phoenix, Antetokounmpo will have eight days without playing in a game, using that time to receive treatment.” Antetokounmpo has already missed two games this season due to soreness in his right knee, so this has become a lingering issue. The Bucks will likely continue to be careful with their star player, and it’s possible he misses more time down the road. The Inside Injuries algorithm is calculating a 2-3 week Optimal Recovery Time.
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