Jan. 17 -- Was this the week that the NBA season finally began to crystallize? Larry Brown's Knicks seem to have turned a corner. The Pistons proved that they are the team to beat this season. Kobe outplayed LeBron, barely. And, despite a dress code enacted to give the game a more civilized appearance, a fight broke out between players. Yes, this was a good week to be an NBA fan.

We'll start out this week's injury rundowns with the tough calls....

What to do with F Tracy McGrady? The good news is that the injury T-Mac suffered isn't as bad as it originally appeared when it happened last Sunday. This said, he still hasn't returned to the court because of the back spasms that caused him to leave a game on a stretcher some eight days ago. Tracy practiced this week, and he's eager to return to action. Still, the Rockets will smartly play it safe with their star -- so another week (or more) out of the line up is likely. Until you see T-Mac's name in the box scores I'd be hesitant to return him to my active roster.

F Jermaine O'Nealis also sidelined. O'Neal sprained his ankle while playing against the Bulls. The injury is mild enough that it's expected to heal quickly. This being said, there's a good chance Jermaine doesn't play on Monday against the Nets. Teams with especially strong reserves may consider benching O'Neal this week for that reason. However, it's unlikely that you'll find a free agent who'll out-produce an abbreviated week from Jermaine O'Neal.

Shaq may have gotten the better team, but G Kobe Bryant is getting the better stats. That should continue this week, despite Kobe's sprained wrist. Bryant sprained his right wrist in a game against the Cavs -- and scored 38 points that very next game. Until the guy loses a limb or something, there seems to be no ailment worth worrying about this season for fantasy teams with Kobe Bryant.

Speaking of playing through pain, F Carmelo Anthony suffered a rib injury in Friday's game against the Timberwolves. The result? Carmelo only scored 38 points in Saturday's game against the Bucks. Anthony's gonna be just fine and is a safe play this week.

Back spasms or not, F Richard Jefferson hopes to return to action this week. The Nets forward has already missed three games due to the ailment, and while he may return to action, there's reason to be skeptical that he'll be one-hundred percent if or when he does so. Back injuries tend to linger, so you'd be wise to reserve Jefferson this week.

Clipper's big man C Elton Brand sat out two games last week while recovering from a bruised hip. However, reports have Brand nearly ready to return to the court, making him a safe play for your active roster this week.

There are plenty of bumps and bruises on the Sacramento bench worth updating. G Bonzi Wells has begun to participate in Kings' shoot-arounds, but his groin injury is expected to bar his return to the court for another couple of weeks. F Shareef Abdur-Rahim continues to have his mouth wired shut after breaking his jaw. Complicating the injury, the wired jaw limited Shareef's oxygen intake, thus limiting his capacity for exercise. Rahim is probably a month away from being healthy and in NBA shape. Lastly, it would seem that bad backs are contagious in the NBA -- F Peja Stojakovic has been bothered by lower back stiffness for a little while now. The shooter sat out this weekend's action to allow his bulging disc time to recuperate. He'll likely be day-to-day for the near future as back injuries are apt to resurface even after the player has returned to the court. If you can pick up F Francisco Garcia as Stojackovic insurance, now'd be a good time to do so.

Charlotte's G Gerald Wallace tweaked a hamstring during Saturday's game against the Pistons. The injury isn't super-serious, but there's talk that Wallace may sit out a couple of games this week, so if you normally start Wallace in your league, this may be a good week to examine your bench options.

What an unfortunate return to action for F/C Emeka Okafor. After missing eight games with an ankle injury, he returned to the court only to aggravate the injury during the team's overtime victory. He'll miss at least another week as a result, so keep Okafor inactive for the near future. However, it's unclear whether his was the worst return of the week because....

G Keyon Dooling returned to the court after missing time with a heel injury. Four minutes later, Dooling was mixing it up with F Ray Allen. There's five more games he won't be playing.

You can scratch F Stromile Swift from your starting lineup this week, because a scratched eye has kept Swift out of action for the last couple of games. With Yao out as well, it looks as like the Rockets will turn to C Dikembe Mutombo, making the former finger-wagger a great short-term pick-up.

Quickly: F Carlos Boozer is still weeks away. F Amare Stoudamire is expected to return to action in March. F Darius Miles is shooting for a mid-February return from successful knee surgery. G Gilbert Arenas was slowed earlier this week by a tender hamstring, but that problem seems to be behind him. G Jamaal Tinsley is nowhere near returning to action for the Pacers.

Saving the good news for last: G Chris Paul was supposed to miss at least two weeks after he tore a thumb ligament. Instead, he returned to action after only missing a week. Unfortunately, his shooting appears to be suffering as a result (2-for-11 during his last game). It's great that he's back, but unless you need assists and steals you may want to wait a few weeks before returning Paul to your active roster.

Mike Bornhorst is a fantasy expert for NBA.com. His column Trainer’s Table runs every Monday as part of the NBA.com Premium Scouting Report. Contact him at mhb_roto@TalentedMrRoto.com .

The views expressed by the TalentedMrRoto.com represent only the views of the writers; they do not represent the views of the NBA or any NBA team.