NBA Key Injuries to Know for First Round of Playoffs
By Robert Duff in NBA Basketball
Published:
- Both the Denver Nuggets (seven) and Memphis Grizzlies (nine) are entering the NBA playoffs with heavily-populated injury lists
- Among the prominent players ailing as the postseason begins are Kevin Durant (Phoenix), Ja Morant (Memphis) Nikola Jokic (Denver), Paul George (LA Clippers) and Julius Randle (New York)
- Check out all the latest status for injured players heading into the NBA playoffs in the story below
Each of the top five teams in the Western Conference NBA playoff bracket are dealing with key injuries as the first round of the playoffs are set to get underway.
Can the Phoenix Suns got far without Kevin Durant? How would the Denver Nuggets fare minus Nikola Jokic? Will the Memphis Grizzlies repeat last year’s surprising playoff run if Ja Morant isn’t operating at 100%?
There are far fewer concerns on the injury front in the Eastern Conference. Power forward Julius Randle of the New York Knicks is the only player of prominence currently sidelined. He’s out with an ankle injury.
NBA Playoffs Injury Report
| Team | Player | Position | Injury | Game Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Celtics | Danilo Gallnari | PF | knee | out |
| Brooklyn Nets | Ben Simmons | PG | back/knee | out |
| Chicago Bulls | Lonzo Ball | PG | knee | out |
| Chicago Bulls | Justin Lewis | F | Knee | out |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | Dylan Windler | SG | foot | out |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | Isaac Okoro | SF | knee | out |
| Denver Nuggets | Jamal Murray | PG | thumb | probable |
| Denver Nuggets | Michael Porter Jr | SF | heel | probable |
| Denver Nuggets | Nikola Jokic | C | calf | probable |
| Denver Nuggets | Jeff Green | PF | face | out |
| Denver Nuggets | Aaron Gordon | PF | shoulder | out |
| Denver Nuggets | Kentavious Caldwell-Pope | SG | illness | out |
| Denver Nuggets | Collin Gillespie | G | leg | out |
| Golden State Warriors | Andre Iguodala | F | wrist | out |
| Golden State Warriors | Ty Jerome | SG | illness | day-to-day |
| Golden State Warriors | Ryan Rollins | G | foot | out |
| Los Angeles Clippers | Paul George | F | knee | out |
| Los Angeles Lakers | Dennis Schroder | PG | ankle | day-to-day |
| Memphis Grizzlies | Ja Morant | PG | hand | day-to-day |
| Memphis Grizzlies | Tyus Jones | PG | foot | day-to-day |
| Memphis Grizzlies | Jaren Jackson Jr | PF | elbow | day-to-day |
| Memphis Grizzlies | Dillon Brooks | SF | groin | day-to-day |
| Memphis Grizzlies | Desmond Bane | SG | knee | day-to-day |
| Memphis Grizzlies | Jake LaRavia | F | calf | out |
| Memphis Grizzlies | Steven Adams | C | knee | out |
| Memphis Grizzlies | Brandon Clarke | PF | Achilles | out |
| Memphis Grizzlies | Santi Aldama | G | elbow | day-to-day |
| Miami Heat | Nikola Jovic | F | back | out |
| Milwaukee Bucks | Pat Connaughton | SG | ankle | out |
| Milwaukee Bucks | Grayson Allen | SG | ankle | out |
| Milwaukee Bucks | Khris Middleton | SF | knee | day-to-day |
| Milwaukee Bucks | AJ Green | G | foot | day-to-day |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | Rudy Gobert | C | back | day-to-day |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | Jaylen Nowell | SG | knee | questionable |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | Karl-Anthony Towns | C | calf | questionable |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | Jaden McDaniels | PF | hand | out |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | Naz Reid | C | wrist | out |
| New York Knicks | Julius Randle | PF | ankle | out |
| New York Knicks | Isaiah Robey | F | ankle | out |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | Aleksej Pokusevski | F | knee | out |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | Kenrich Williams | SF | wrist | out |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | Chet Holmgren | PF | foot | out |
| Philadelphia 76ers | Georges Niang | SF | knee | probable |
| Phoenix Suns | Kevin Durant | PF | ankle | day-to-day |
| Phoenix Suns | Bismack Biyombo | C | knee | day-to-day |
| Phoenix Suns | Cameron Payne | PG | back | out |
| Sacramento Kings | Harrison Barnes | SF | knee | day-to-day |
| Sacramento Kings | Matthew Dellavedova | PG | finger | out |
| Sacramento Kings | Davion Mitchell | PG | knee | out |
The Milwaukee Bucks are listing small forward Khris Middleton (knee) as day-to-day. Regardless, the 2021 league title winners remain the +275 chalk in the NBA championship odds.
Bet $1 & Double Your Winnings On Your First 10 Bets!
Nuggets Regaining Health In Nick Of Time
The top seed in the Western Conference, Denver has won an NBA-high 34 home games during the 2022-23 campaign. The Nuggets have never won an NBA title, or played in the NBA Finals, but this was finally going to be their year. At least it was until karma figuratively said “hold my beer.”
Just another casual no-look dime from Nikola Jokic 👀pic.twitter.com/gCoBOdktGZ
— Nuggets Nation (@NuggetsNationCP) April 8, 2023
Point guard Jamal Murray (thumb), small forward Michael Porter Jr (heel) and center and reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic (calf), all were missing action for at least part of the latter portion of the NBA season. That likely explains Denver’s 9-11 regular-season finish.
Jokic sat out five of the last seven games, hampering his chances of a repeat in the NBA MVP odds. However, all three starters are showing as probable for Game 1 of their opening-round series.
The last Denver went into the postseason healthy was in 2019. The Nuggets rolled all the way to the Western Conference final.
Star Power Missing From Suns-Clippers Series
Two of the biggest stars in the opening-round set between the Suns and Clippers could be starting the set in civvies. Phoenix power forward Durant (ankle) is day-to-day. Clippers forward Paul George (knee) is out.
Kevin Durant, T.J. Warren, Devin Booker and Chris Paul getting up shots. #Suns pic.twitter.com/3tmAE5BjXb
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) April 14, 2023
It’s certain that 12-year veteran George, who scored 23.8 points per game during the regular season, won’t be suiting up for Game 1. He hasn’t played since March 21 and the team is indicating they’re in no hurry to rush him back into action.
Two-time NBA Finals MVP Durant has played in just eight games since January 8. He did practice this week, so there’s belief that he might play in Game 1.
Sports Writer
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
