– [post-date] –

At a critical point in the NBA season, fans everywhere are wondering what lies ahead for their favorite team. Many fans are wiping away tears, as the idea of a post season slips further and further out of reach. It seems that teams nowadays rest on the laurels of star athletes and although some average players may be able to rise to the occasion, others may not.

Currently, the Celtics are one of those teams. Point guard Rajon Rondo will be out for the remainder of the season with a torn ACL. Although this serves as a tough blow to the Celtics, there is a silver lining to this cloud; the tear wasn’t as bad as the doctors had originally thought, and Rondo underwent surgery on Feb. 13.

An additional blow was suffered to the Celtics when Jared Sullinger had intense back spasms in a game against the Sacramento Kings. Sullinger had a successful lumbar disc surgery and will be ready for training camp next year, after having his rookie year cut short.

One team that weighs heavy on the minds of most Chicagoans is the Bulls. With the list of three big players taken out of the mix, the team’s future is uncertain. Debates rage amongst fans on when fan favorite Derrick Rose will lace up and take the court again. Statements from Coach Tom Thibodeau clearly explain that Rose will return when he is ready, and he is currently practicing at full intensity, although that does not mean that he is ready for an actual game.

Joakim Noah is back after a short break due to issues with plantar fasciitis in his foot. Given that the foot is still sore and gives him plenty of issues, both Coach T and the trainers will be keeping a close eye on his performance. Another issue the Bulls are currently facing is the injury that Kirk Hinrich sustained to his elbow. Hinrich is scheduled to miss his seventh consecutive game, with a hopeful return still lurking in the distance.

The Los Angeles Clippers are no stranger to injuries, with forward Trey Tomkins out indefinitely with a bone bruise in his left knee, which will have him benched until he is reassessed by medical staff in the upcoming weeks. This injury, however, has not been the worst in L.A. this season.

The Los Angeles Lakers have taken a huge loss when center Jordan Hill injured his hip. Recently, Hill underwent surgery to have loose fragments of bone removed, repair a torn labrum and micro-fracture surgery in order to repair cartilage that was damaged as a result of the injury.

The New York Knicks are keeping their heads above water and their number two standing, despite three key injuries. Both Rasheed Wallace and Marcus Camby are currently out with foot injuries, but are expected to return mid-February. A much larger issue, the Knicks are currently facing is the loss of Baron Davis, who will be out for the rest of the season with a critical injury to his right knee. With tears of his MCL, ACL, and Patella Tendon, he will be left on the bench for a minimum of twelve months, and his career has been benched until further notice.

Needless to say, the fate of some of the power house teams may already be sealed, unless second stringers can step up and stay off of the injured list. For a comprehensive list of all NBA injuries visit NBA.com.