Multiple playoff hopefuls will limp to the finish line

TEAM INJURIES

Atlanta Hawks Bryce Dejean-Jones (Wrist), O.J. Mayo (Leg), Dwyane Wade (Neck and back), Jon Leuer (Ankle), Chris Paul (Rest),

The Hawks lose Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade at a critical time. They desperately need wins in the final week to secure a playoff spot. Mayo has been out all season and Hawks are struggling to keep afloat. Timing couldn't be worse.

Brooklyn Nets Jarrett Jack (Knee), Danilo Gallinari (Ankle), DeMarcus Cousins (Suspension), Josh Huestis (D-League),

Cousins serves his suspension just as the NLL week ticks over. Unlucky. Although Brooklyn are out of the playoff picture and are probably thinking about the draft already anyway, so it may not be such a bad thing. Jack and Gallo continue to sit out.

Boston Celtics Taj Gibson (Ribs),

Boston are in good stead in terms of health. Gibson is a key backup in their bigs rotation but it is their only injury.

Charlotte Hornets Elijah Millsap (Waived in NBA), Aaron Harrison (D-League), Kristaps Porzingis (Shoulder),

Injuries to Harrison and Millsap wont worry Charlotte much but Zinger's rib is a shame. However Charlotte would probably prefer to lose at this point anyway so no big deal.

Chicago Bulls Jodie Meeks (Foot), Beno Udrih (Foot), Anthony Bennett (Waived in NBA), Kevon Looney (D-League), Meyers Leonard (Shoulder),

Chicago continue to hold onto Bennett, while Leonard and Meeks are solid contributors that are missing. In all honesty the Bulls would probably prefer to have more injuries than they actually do. The tank job is real.

Cleveland Cavaliers Andre Miller (Rest),

The hospital is empty in Cleveland as their health is top notch. Miller is resting his old man hips before the playoffs.

Dallas Mavericks Jrue Holiday (Toe), Ray McCallum (Waived in NBA), Thaddeus Young (Rest), DeAndre Jordan (Rest),

Not an ideal week for the Mavs who are jostling for seeding position in the playoffs. Denver are breathing on their neck, but Mavs will need Thad, Holiday and DeAndre heading forward. Luckily Thad and DeAndre are only resting.

Denver Nuggets Lamar Patterson (CD), Mitch McGary (CD), James Young (D-League), Derrick Favors (Knee), JJ Redick (Rest),

Favors' knee continues to be troublesome and Reddick resting in the NBA could mean that the Nuggets' 14 game streak comes to an end in the final week.

Detroit Pistons Eric Bledsoe (Knee), Joakim Noah (Shoulder), Tiago Splitter (Hip),

Bledsoe is still out for the season and Noah's shoulder is damaged, but Detroit are in full tank mode anyway.

Golden State Warriors Quincy Pondexter (Knee), Wilson Chandler (Hip), Steve Novak (Knee),

The Warriors wont make the playoffs from here, but they don't have their own pick so they'll wanna continue to win as much as possible. Chandler's hip injury hurts.

Houston Rockets Shabazz Napier (CD), Paul Pierce (Ankle/Knee),

Big week for Houston who are 7th seed. They could've used Pierce but should have enough firepower to secure their playoff spot.

Indiana Pacers Rakeem Christmas (D-League), Blake Griffin (Quad),

Huge week for Indiana who are currently sitting 9th and are hoping for Atlanta to drop games. Griffin will be out for 1 more week, but by that point in might be too late for the Pacers, who have gotta feel pretty helpless right now

LA Clippers Alec Burks (Ankle), DeMarre Carroll (Knee), Tibor Pleiss (CD), Festus Ezeli (Knee), Nikola Pekovic (Foot),

Carroll continues to sit out with his bung knee. Clippers are out of the playoff picture but they don't own their own pick so they would definitely prefer if Burks was available to help nab some wins.

LA Lakers Andre Iguodala (Ankle), Nick Young (Illness),

The #1 seed continues to win despite Iggy sitting out. Nick Young will miss the week as he tries to repair his marriage.

Memphis Grizzlies Jordan Adams (Knee), Dante Exum (Knee), Jarnell Stokes (Waived in NBA), Chris Bosh (Blood Clots), Jared Cunningham (Waived in NBA),

So it turns out that Bosh couldn't make it back before the end of the regular season, but Memphis are well and truly focused on the draft at this point, and the rest of the guys who are currently sitting out wont matter anyway

Miami Heat Jose Calderon (Quad), David West (Rest),

The Heat will go into the final week without their key rotational big in West, as well as their backup PG. They can cover the PG loss, but will miss West's floor spacing.

Milwaukee Bucks Jusuf Nurkic (Illness),

One of the most talented teams in the league is looking very healty, other than Nurkic. Nurkic could be back next week anyway.

Minnesota Timberwolves Tyreke Evans (Knee), Andrea Bargnani (Waived in NBA), Chris Copeland (Waived in NBA), Jeremy Evans (Shoulder), Ryan Anderson (Groin), Nerlens Noel (Knee), Richaun Holmes (Achilles),

Wow the doctors are busy in Minnesota this week. Evans is still out for the season which was expected, but the injuries to Nerlens and Anderson hurts a lot. Minnesota are sitting 8th in the West right now and there's a very real possibility that ninth seed Sacramento Kings could leapfrog them, which would unfortunately push them out of the playoffs.

New Orleans Pelicans T.J. Warren (Foot), Jahlil Okafor (Shin), Norris Cole (Back), Anthony Brown (Foot), Brandon Knight (Illness), Chandler Parsons (Knee), Marco Belinelli (Foot),

Medic!!! The Pelicans are not having a lucky season in terms of health. Parsons' tweaked his surgically repaired knee which is never fun. Okafor is out again, Warren continues to be out for the season, and they don't have their own pick. Even Belinelli is out who could've helped put some points on the board in the final week.

New York Knicks Tyler Johnson (Shoulder), Mario Chalmers (Waived in NBA),

Super nintendo Chalmers is still looking for a job in the NBA and hence will miss more time. Johnson has a hurt shoulder but that wont bother the Knicks too much

Oklahoma City Thunder Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (Shoulder), Walter Tavares (D-League), Bruno Caboclo (D-League),

MKG's injury is unfortunate, but their playoff position looks pretty secure regardless. Tavares and Caboclo are still incubating, so their absence is no big deal. Will the Thunder get MKG back during the playoffs?

Orlando Magic A great time to be fully healthy for the Magic, who are praying for a big final week in order to leapfrog the crippled Hawks and Pacers and make the playoffs

Philadelphia 76ers Luis Scola (Knee),

Scola has a hurt knee but Philly have the depth and freedom to easily cover it anyway. Scola will likely be back for the playoffs.

Phoenix Suns Phoenix are fully healthy right now but it might be too little too late for the 10th seed Suns

Portland Trail Blazers Sam Dekker (Back), Joe Harris (CD), Kevin Garnett (Rest), P.J. Hairston (Groin), Sonny Weems (Waived in NBA),

Kevin Garnett is still very useful in 2k, but Portland aren't very relevant right now anyway so they will be okay with him resting. The young guys missing time are no big deal at this point either.

San Antonio Spurs Joel Embiid (Foot), Brandan Wright (Knee), Anthony Davis (Knee),

So much potential sitting on this injury list right now. The Davis injury was awful news for the Spurs who were sitting pretty in the West. It would've been nice if Wright could play to replace Davis' production. Oden Embiid continues to rehab his injury

Sacramento Kings Mike Conley (Foot), Raymond Felton (Groin), Sasha Kaun (CD),

Conley's injury comes at an awful time for the Kings who are trying to get that final playoff spot. Luckily for them the 8th seed Timberwolves are also missing key guys. This will come down to the wire.

Toronto Raptors Tony Wroten (Waived in NBA), Michael Carter-Williams (Knee/Hip), Jae Crowder (Ankle), Deron Williams (Abdomen), Jerryd Bayless (Knee), Alonzo Gee (Quad),

The 7th seed Raptors get Kobe back for the final week which is a huuuuge plus for them. They just missed out on getting Crowder for the week, but he should return for the playoffs. Deron's injury is a big loss though and comes at a critical time. The Raptors look more likely to make the playoffs than they do unlikely, but they will certainly limp to the finish line with all these injuries going on.

Utah Jazz Eric Gordon (Finger), Montrezl Harrell (CD), Bojan Bogdanovic (Rest), Chris Kaman (Illness),

Eric Gordon is a regular fixture on the injury list so no surprise there. Utah wont be too bothered by their other injuries as long as they can return soon.

Washington Wizards Marc Gasol (Foot), Alan Anderson (Ankle), Drew Gooden (CD),

The Wizards have been eliminated from playoff contention will shift their focus to the offseason and rehabbing Gasol to return before next season

TEAM	INJURIES
	Bryce Dejean-Jones (Wrist), O.J. Mayo (Leg), Dwyane Wade (Neck and back), Jon Leuer (Ankle), Chris Paul (Rest), The Hawks lose Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade at a critical time. They desperately need wins in the final week to secure a playoff spot. Mayo has been out all season and Hawks are struggling to keep afloat. Timing couldn't be worse.
	Jarrett Jack (Knee), Danilo Gallinari (Ankle), DeMarcus Cousins (Suspension), Josh Huestis (D-League), Cousins serves his suspension just as the NLL week ticks over. Unlucky. Although Brooklyn are out of the playoff picture and are probably thinking about the draft already anyway, so it may not be such a bad thing. Jack and Gallo continue to sit out.
	Taj Gibson (Ribs), Boston are in good stead in terms of health. Gibson is a key backup in their bigs rotation but it is their only injury.
	Elijah Millsap (Waived in NBA), Aaron Harrison (D-League), Kristaps Porzingis (Shoulder), Injuries to Harrison and Millsap wont worry Charlotte much but Zinger's rib is a shame. However Charlotte would probably prefer to lose at this point anyway so no big deal.
	Jodie Meeks (Foot), Beno Udrih (Foot), Anthony Bennett (Waived in NBA), Kevon Looney (D-League), Meyers Leonard (Shoulder), Chicago continue to hold onto Bennett, while Leonard and Meeks are solid contributors that are missing. In all honesty the Bulls would probably prefer to have more injuries than they actually do. The tank job is real.
	Andre Miller (Rest), The hospital is empty in Cleveland as their health is top notch. Miller is resting his old man hips before the playoffs.
	Jrue Holiday (Toe), Ray McCallum (Waived in NBA), Thaddeus Young (Rest), DeAndre Jordan (Rest), Not an ideal week for the Mavs who are jostling for seeding position in the playoffs. Denver are breathing on their neck, but Mavs will need Thad, Holiday and DeAndre heading forward. Luckily Thad and DeAndre are only resting.
	Lamar Patterson (CD), Mitch McGary (CD), James Young (D-League), Derrick Favors (Knee), JJ Redick (Rest), Favors' knee continues to be troublesome and Reddick resting in the NBA could mean that the Nuggets' 14 game streak comes to an end in the final week.
	Eric Bledsoe (Knee), Joakim Noah (Shoulder), Tiago Splitter (Hip), Bledsoe is still out for the season and Noah's shoulder is damaged, but Detroit are in full tank mode anyway.
	Quincy Pondexter (Knee), Wilson Chandler (Hip), Steve Novak (Knee), The Warriors wont make the playoffs from here, but they don't have their own pick so they'll wanna continue to win as much as possible. Chandler's hip injury hurts.
	Shabazz Napier (CD), Paul Pierce (Ankle/Knee), Big week for Houston who are 7th seed. They could've used Pierce but should have enough firepower to secure their playoff spot.
	Rakeem Christmas (D-League), Blake Griffin (Quad), Huge week for Indiana who are currently sitting 9th and are hoping for Atlanta to drop games. Griffin will be out for 1 more week, but by that point in might be too late for the Pacers, who have gotta feel pretty helpless right now
	Alec Burks (Ankle), DeMarre Carroll (Knee), Tibor Pleiss (CD), Festus Ezeli (Knee), Nikola Pekovic (Foot), Carroll continues to sit out with his bung knee. Clippers are out of the playoff picture but they don't own their own pick so they would definitely prefer if Burks was available to help nab some wins.
	Andre Iguodala (Ankle), Nick Young (Illness), The #1 seed continues to win despite Iggy sitting out. Nick Young will miss the week as he tries to repair his marriage.
	Jordan Adams (Knee), Dante Exum (Knee), Jarnell Stokes (Waived in NBA), Chris Bosh (Blood Clots), Jared Cunningham (Waived in NBA), So it turns out that Bosh couldn't make it back before the end of the regular season, but Memphis are well and truly focused on the draft at this point, and the rest of the guys who are currently sitting out wont matter anyway
	Jose Calderon (Quad), David West (Rest), The Heat will go into the final week without their key rotational big in West, as well as their backup PG. They can cover the PG loss, but will miss West's floor spacing.
	Jusuf Nurkic (Illness), One of the most talented teams in the league is looking very healty, other than Nurkic. Nurkic could be back next week anyway.
	Tyreke Evans (Knee), Andrea Bargnani (Waived in NBA), Chris Copeland (Waived in NBA), Jeremy Evans (Shoulder), Ryan Anderson (Groin), Nerlens Noel (Knee), Richaun Holmes (Achilles), Wow the doctors are busy in Minnesota this week. Evans is still out for the season which was expected, but the injuries to Nerlens and Anderson hurts a lot. Minnesota are sitting 8th in the West right now and there's a very real possibility that ninth seed Sacramento Kings could leapfrog them, which would unfortunately push them out of the playoffs.
	T.J. Warren (Foot), Jahlil Okafor (Shin), Norris Cole (Back), Anthony Brown (Foot), Brandon Knight (Illness), Chandler Parsons (Knee), Marco Belinelli (Foot), Medic!!! The Pelicans are not having a lucky season in terms of health. Parsons' tweaked his surgically repaired knee which is never fun. Okafor is out again, Warren continues to be out for the season, and they don't have their own pick. Even Belinelli is out who could've helped put some points on the board in the final week.
	Tyler Johnson (Shoulder), Mario Chalmers (Waived in NBA), Super nintendo Chalmers is still looking for a job in the NBA and hence will miss more time. Johnson has a hurt shoulder but that wont bother the Knicks too much
	Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (Shoulder), Walter Tavares (D-League), Bruno Caboclo (D-League), MKG's injury is unfortunate, but their playoff position looks pretty secure regardless. Tavares and Caboclo are still incubating, so their absence is no big deal. Will the Thunder get MKG back during the playoffs?
	A great time to be fully healthy for the Magic, who are praying for a big final week in order to leapfrog the crippled Hawks and Pacers and make the playoffs
	Luis Scola (Knee), Scola has a hurt knee but Philly have the depth and freedom to easily cover it anyway. Scola will likely be back for the playoffs.
	Phoenix are fully healthy right now but it might be too little too late for the 10th seed Suns
	Sam Dekker (Back), Joe Harris (CD), Kevin Garnett (Rest), P.J. Hairston (Groin), Sonny Weems (Waived in NBA), Kevin Garnett is still very useful in 2k, but Portland aren't very relevant right now anyway so they will be okay with him resting. The young guys missing time are no big deal at this point either.
	Joel Embiid (Foot), Brandan Wright (Knee), Anthony Davis (Knee), So much potential sitting on this injury list right now. The Davis injury was awful news for the Spurs who were sitting pretty in the West. It would've been nice if Wright could play to replace Davis' production. Oden Embiid continues to rehab his injury
	Mike Conley (Foot), Raymond Felton (Groin), Sasha Kaun (CD), Conley's injury comes at an awful time for the Kings who are trying to get that final playoff spot. Luckily for them the 8th seed Timberwolves are also missing key guys. This will come down to the wire.
	Tony Wroten (Waived in NBA), Michael Carter-Williams (Knee/Hip), Jae Crowder (Ankle), Deron Williams (Abdomen), Jerryd Bayless (Knee), Alonzo Gee (Quad), The 7th seed Raptors get Kobe back for the final week which is a huuuuge plus for them. They just missed out on getting Crowder for the week, but he should return for the playoffs. Deron's injury is a big loss though and comes at a critical time. The Raptors look more likely to make the playoffs than they do unlikely, but they will certainly limp to the finish line with all these injuries going on.
	Eric Gordon (Finger), Montrezl Harrell (CD), Bojan Bogdanovic (Rest), Chris Kaman (Illness), Eric Gordon is a regular fixture on the injury list so no surprise there. Utah wont be too bothered by their other injuries as long as they can return soon.
	Marc Gasol (Foot), Alan Anderson (Ankle), Drew Gooden (CD), The Wizards have been eliminated from playoff contention will shift their focus to the offseason and rehabbing Gasol to return before next season