The last thing a team with playoff or even title aspirations wants to see is a vital player go down with a significant injury.
Some have struggled, while others have learned to cope. Here's a quick look at how 4 limping lineups have fared:
Chris Paul, LA Clippers (left thumb)
How the Clippers are doing: Struggling. As per NBA.com statistics, the Clippers are 4-7 since Paul went down on January 16, which isn't a surprise given that he's the engine that makes this team run.
Five of the Clippers' next 7 games are against playoff teams so the coming weeks could be a lot bumpier.
They held the best record in the league in the first month of the season, but have now plummeted to a tie for 5th with the Memphis Grizzlies, a decline that can be attributed to injuries to Paul and Blake Griffin.
What the experts say: "Between now and the time Paul’s projected return, the Clippers could play as many as 19 games against teams in the playoff picture. Thus, the season motto, until then, is: Stay the course. And after that? They hope it’s: Stay in contention." — from Shaun Powell, NBA.com
Target date for return: According to Rotoworld.com, the Clippers are looking to play him on March 1.
Jabari Parker, Milwaukee Bucks (torn ACL)
Statistics: Career-high averages of 20.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 36.5% 3-point shooting
How the Bucks are doing: Struggling even before the Parker injury. The Bucks had looked like they were ready to take the next step in mid-January but they hit a wall somehow losing 11 of their last 13 games.
The loss of Parker, who has played up to borderline All-Star level this season, is significant, but two factors could cushion the impact of his absence.
One is the return of Khris Middleton, who returned Wednesday after missing Milwaukee's first 50 games because of a torn hamstring. And two the Bucks have one of the relatively easiest schedules the rest of the way, as per ESPN.com.
Target date for return: Parker could be back next year, as in 2018.
What the experts say: "While Middleton’s return still looms large for Milwaukee’s playoff hopes, the balance of the season now becomes a salvage job rather than the possible coronation of a new NBA darling." — Ben Golliver, SI.com
Avery Bradley, Boston Celtics (Achilles)
Statistics: Career-high averages of 17.7 points and 40.9% 3-point shooting
How the Celtics are doing: Thriving. The Celtics have the 3rd-best record in the league since Bradley initially suffered the injury on January 6.
It's not a knock on Bradley and Boston would much, much prefer to have him back. But with Isaiah Thomas playing out of his mind in recent weeks, the Celtics have been able to cope and climbed to No. 2 in the East and within earshot of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Target date for return: All-Star break or thereabouts.
What Avery Bradley is saying: "There was one year I felt like Derrick Rose played that way. Like, every time he got the ball it was like no one could stop him." — Bradley on Thomas
Zach LaVine, Minnesota Timberwolves (torn ACL)
Statistics: Career-high averages of 18.9 points, 37.2 minutes
How the Wolves are doing: Stinking, even before LaVine blew out his ACL. This was the team some experts projected would make the playoffs. Instead, they're lottery-bound again.
Target date for return: Indefinite, but he's definitely out for the season.
What the experts say: "If anything, losing LaVine should take some pressure off the players and the organization to qualify for the playoffs this season." — NBA.com
(Statistics courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com, NBA.com, ESPN.com)
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