Andrew Ortenberg
Show Bio
As the NBA All-Star break finally approaches, many teams are banged up. There’s been some significant new injuries over the past week, as well as updates on guys who could be returning soon. Here’s the latest injury report from the NBA:
Mo Bamba – Orlando Magic – Center
News broke Tuesday that Bamba, the sixth overall pick in this year’s draft, was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his lower leg, and would miss “significant time.” Adrian Wojnarowski did note that Bamba should be able to avoid surgery.
Caris LeVert – Brooklyn Nets – Forward
LeVert went down with a gruesome injury back in November that looked season-ending at first, but he’s apparently close to a return. LeVert is starting a rehab assignment in the G-League, and Woj reports he could be back by the All-Star break. He was averaging 18.4 points before going down.
Allen Crabbe – Brooklyn Nets – Guard
Speaking of the Nets, it looks like they’ll be getting Allen Crabbe back. Crabbe has been out since early December, but is set to return this week. Crabbe was averaging nearly 10 points per game, and will be a massive shooting boost for the Nets as they make their playoff push.
Kyrie Irving – Boston Celtics – Guard
Irving is sitting today against the Cavaliers with a hip strain. It seems mostly like a rest day and nothing too serious, so Kyrie should be back sometime this week.
Cedi Osman – Cleveland Cavaliers – Forward
Speaking of the Cavs, Osman tweaked his ankle on Sunday and is missing today’s game against the Celtics. It’s nothing serious, but he could miss another game or two.
Jamal Murray – Denver Nuggets – Guard
Murray appears set to return after missing nearly two weeks with an ankle injury. He’s questionable for Wednesday’s game against Brooklyn, and even if he doesn’t play then he should be good to go for the next game. The Nuggets have been playing great, and Murray’s return will be another huge boost.
Eric Gordon – Houston Rockets – Guard
Gordon missed yesterday’s game against the Suns with knee soreness, but reports have him targeting Wednesday’s game against Sacramento for a return, so it looks like he could end up missing just one game.
Doug McDermott – Indiana Pacers – Guard/Forward
The Pacers’ sharpshooter will miss at least two more games with his rib injury, it was reported yesterday. McDermott is shooting over 38% from three this year, so the Pacers could really use him back in the lineup.
Derrick Rose – Minnesota Timberwolves – Guard
D-Rose’s ankle issues are flaring up again, which is never a good sign. Rose is having a breakthrough season, but will miss his fourth game out of his past five as he continues to deal with ankle soreness. The T-Wolves will likely be very cautious with him moving forward, so he could miss even more time.
Jeff Teague – Minnesota Timberwolves – Guard
Rose’s backcourt mate Jeff Teague won’t be returning today with his foot injury, but he could return sometime during this road trip, according to reports.
Elfrid Payton – New Orleans Pelicans – Guard
Payton will miss his fifth straight game with an ankle injury Wednesday. Payton has been unable to stay healthy during his first season in New Orleans, and fellow guard E’Twaun Moore will also miss Wednesday’s game. Pelicans forward Nikola Mirotic will also miss the game, as will Anthony Davis, who the Pelicans are refusing to play before the trade deadline.
Wilson Chandler – Philadelphia 76ers – Forward
Chandler will miss the next 2-3 weeks with a quad injury, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. Chandler has been playing a pretty big role, so it’s a significant blow.
Kyle Lowry – Toronto Raptors – Guard
Lowry will return from his back injury absence today. Lowry missed Toronto’s most recent game against the Clippers, but a one day break was apparently all he needed.
John Wall – Washington Wizards – Guard
It was announced today that Wall suffered a major setback in his recovery when he tore his Achilles in a fall at his home. Wall will now be out for the next 12 months, a devastating blow for the franchise.
