Injuries are a part of sports. As terrible as they are, there is no question that an injury or two can impact a game, a series, or an entire postseason. So far there have only been a handful of injuries, but most of them have been to key or impact players. How will this affect the rest of the playoffs? Let’s take a look at the key injuries that have happened so far this postseason, and how their teams will have to adjust as the playoffs continue.
Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers
In game four of the Cavaliers’ sweep over the Boston Celtics, Kevin Love got tangled up with Kelly Olynyk while fighting for a loose ball. Love’s shoulder was separated, and he did not return to the game. Earlier this week, it was announced that Love’s labrum had torn off the bone, and his return to the playoffs was questionable. Now, we know the full extent: Love had surgery to repair his shoulder and is out for the rest of the season.
This is a huge blow to Cleveland’s title aspirations. The east is weak enough for LeBron James and the gang to make it to the finals, but Love provided spacing, shooting, and rebounding on a team that needed all of those things. David Blatt enjoyed the versatility of Love playing alongside two different centers, and now he will have to manufacture more offense through ancillary options. Cleveland can overcome this injury – after all, they still do have LeBron James – but it remains to be seen how they respond to losing one of their big three. While Cleveland was becoming a trendy championship pick, the injury to Kevin Love puts a serious dent in their title hopes.
Mike Conley, Memphis Grizzlies
Mike Conley is one of the most underrated point guards in the league. This point has been emphasized to the point where he might actually be over-underestimated (stay with me here). Conley has a tremendous sense of when to attack or defer to teammates, and how to keep everyone engaged. His leadership, offensive versatility and defense were all key components of Memphis’ success this year. In game three of their series against Portland, Conley took a shot to the face and had to leave the game. He suffered several facial fractures, and his return is still uncertain.
Since his departure, Damian Lillard has emerged in this series, which is not a surprise. Conley had locked him up for the most part, and now his absence is heavily noticed. Memphis still has capable backups, but now Beno Udrih has an injured ankle and is playing hobbled. If Memphis does advance, they run into the buzz saw that is the Golden State Warriors. If Conley can’t return and at least play competently, that series will be over in a hurry. Golden State has the best backcourt in the NBA, and the Grizzlies simply don’t have the point guard depth or quality behind Conley to compete. His injury would be a fatal blow if Memphis advances out of the first round.
Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs
Unlike the first two injuries, Tony Parker is still actually playing in these playoffs. However, he is playing nothing like he is capable of. In game one against the Clippers, Parker injured his right ankle and hasn’t looked the same since. Adding an Achilles injury to the rest of his nagging injuries has severely hampered Parker in what could have been an epic point guard match. Instead, Parker is being eviscerated by Chris Paul on a nightly basis, and if it weren’t for Patty Mills emerging in this series again, San Antonio could very well be out already.
As Gregg Popovich has said several times, the Spurs will only go as far as Tony Parker can take them. Parker hasn’t had a good game yet in this series, and has even been benched late in critical moments in favor of Mills, who to his credit has played tremendously well. The problem for the Spurs is that Parker breaks down defenses and creates for both himself and his teammates when he is healthy. San Antonio’s offense has looked nothing like it did last year so far, and a majority of that is due to Parker not playing up to his standards. Popovich’s comments still reign true: the Spurs will only go as Tony Parker can take them. If he doesn’t get healthy soon, that might not be all that far.