RADIO
A.J. Lawson Questionable for Sunday Due to Back Spasms
Toronto Raptors guard/forward A.J. Lawson (back) has landed on the injury report with a questionable tag ahead of Sunday's Game 4 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 25-year-old is dealing with back spasms and might join Immanuel Quickley (hamstring) on the sidelines. Quickley is the bigger loss for Toronto, given Lawson's limited role. His playing time has been decreasing throughout the series, and he was on the floor for just two minutes in Thursday's Game 3 victory. Jamal Shead and Collin Murray-Boyles are the main guys off the bench for Toronto.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Kevin Huerter Injures Left Hip Saturday
Detroit Pistons guard/forward Kevin Huerter (hip) missed the fourth quarter of Saturday's Game 3 loss to the Orlando Magic. The team initially announced that Huerter was questionable to return due to left hip soreness. Despite logging 15 minutes, Huerter finished the game scoreless. However, he did contribute five assists and one steal. Huerter has been one of Detroit's primary bench options, but he's averaged only 2.0 points and 3.0 assists in the playoffs. If Huerter has to miss additional time, Caris LeVert and Daniss Jenkins might get more burn in upcoming games.
Source: Detroit Pistons PR
Source: Detroit Pistons PR
Kelly Oubre Jr. Iffy for Sunday
Philadelphia 76ers guard/forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (adductor) has been tagged as questionable on the injury report before Sunday's Game 4 against the Boston Celtics. Oubre Jr. was among Philadelphia's top performers in Friday's loss, but he also appears to have hurt his right adductor. On Friday night, Oubre Jr. totaled 17 points, one assist, one steal, and one block in 40 minutes of action. If he has to sit out Sunday's game, Quentin Grimes will likely slide into the first unit. Justin Edwards will also help cover for Oubre Jr.'s absence, while Dominick Barlow might rejoin the rotation.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Victor Wembanyama Still Questionable on Injury Report
San Antonio Spurs forward/center Victor Wembanyama (concussion) is considered questionable for Game 4 against the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday. He could be out for a second consecutive contest after suffering a concussion in Game 2 of the series. Before Friday's Game 3, San Antonio also listed Wembanyama as questionable on the initial injury report. Luke Kornet got the starting nod in his place on Friday, while Carter Bryant also saw extra action in the frontcourt. The rookie made a big defensive impact, recording a game-high three blocks. Kornet contributed two blocks and maneuvered his way to a double-double, with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Kevin Durant Uncertain for Sunday's Action
Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (ankle) is considered questionable for Sunday's elimination game against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Rockets are 3-0 down in the series and have had Durant in the lineup just once in the playoffs. He missed Game 1 with a knee injury and wasn't available for Game 3 due to an ankle injury. "He's getting treatment still around the clock," Rockets head Ime Udoka said Saturday. "I think there's some soreness and [he's] pushed a lot of swelling out, but it'll be a matter of if he can go. We'll try it out I'm sure tomorrow morning and before the game, and we'll know his status then." In Durant's absence, Reed Sheppard started on Friday night, finishing a heartbreaking overtime loss with 17 points, four rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and two blocks.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Austin Reaves Listed as Questionable for Sunday's Game 4
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (oblique) is questionable for Sunday's Game 4 against the Houston Rockets. The Lakers' second-highest scorer is nearing his return from an oblique injury, having been upgraded to questionable on the injury report earlier in the week. He wasn't yet cleared to play in Friday's Game 3, but he will get a new chance to make his comeback this weekend. Reaves was seen putting up shots on Saturday. Luke Kennard has played well during the Lakers' backcourt injury crisis, but he will likely have to give up his starting spot if Reaves is ready to suit up on Sunday.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Aaron Gordon Active on Saturday
Denver Nuggets forward/center Aaron Gordon (calf) will play on Saturday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. The 12-year veteran is ready to help his team avoid a 3-1 series deficit after missing Game 3 with a calf issue. Gordon's return is set to bump Spencer Jones back into the second unit. His comeback is also bad news for Zeke Nnaji, who could be out of the rotation on Saturday. Before hurting his left calf, Gordon had a decent start to the playoffs, averaging 12.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Joel Embiid Remains Doubtful Ahead of Game 4
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (abdomen) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's Game 4 against the Boston Celtics. After his appendectomy earlier this month, Embiid was upgraded to doubtful ahead of Game 3 of the series. He wasn't quite ready to return then and is likely to remain out on Sunday as well. However, 76ers head coach Nick Nurse noted on Saturday that Embiid is participating in on-court work. This indicates he's progressing, and it's not unrealistic to expect the former MVP to return next week. In the meantime, Philadelphia will continue to run with Adem Bona and Andre Drummond at center.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Isaiah Joe Likely to Miss Game 3 Against Suns
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe (personal) is listed as doubtful for Saturday's Game 3 against the Phoenix Suns. He likely won't suit up for the game due to personal reasons. Joe averaged 17.5 minutes in the first two matchups of the series. Players such as Cason Wallace, Alex Caruso, and Jared McCain will compete for these available minutes on Saturday. With Jalen Williams (hamstring) also out, the defending champions might also bring Aaron Wiggins back into the rotation. After playing an active role during the regular season, Wiggins has been limited to just eight garbage-time minutes in the playoffs.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Peyton Watson to Remain Sidelined Saturday
Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson (hamstring) will miss a ninth consecutive contest on Saturday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He is recovering from a left hamstring strain and doesn't have a timeline for his return. With Aaron Gordon (calf) also dealing with health issues again, the Nuggets look vulnerable against Minnesota. Cameron Johnson is in a position to benefit and play a larger role, but he has been quiet in the series so far. Across the first three games, Johnson has posted 10.3 points, 1.0 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 28.3 minutes.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Aaron Gordon Questionable for Saturday's Game 4
Denver Nuggets forward/center Aaron Gordon (calf) is considered questionable for Saturday's Game 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He didn't play in Game 3 after feeling tightness in his left calf. Denver used Spencer Jones as Gordon's replacement in the starting lineup, but his production was limited to six points, one rebound, and one block in 28 minutes. Zeke Nnaji, who offered an additional frontcourt option in the rotation, did much better off the bench with 10 points, three rebounds, one assist, and one steal. Additionally, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown are in a position to see more minutes without Gordon.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jordan Goodwin on Track to Return Saturday
Phoenix Suns guard/forward Jordan Goodwin (calf) could return to action on Saturday in Game 3 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, as the team has listed him as questionable on the injury report. Although Goodwin hasn't officially been cleared to return, he was a full participant in Friday's practice, which is a strong sign that the 27-year-old will be available after missing one game. Collin Gillespie started in Goodwin's absence in Game 2 and will likely return to the second unit on Saturday. Goodwin performed well during the Play-In Tournament and, if he gets the green light to play, will improve Phoenix in several areas, including defense and rebounding.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Grayson Allen Listed as Questionable for Saturday
Phoenix Suns guard/forward Grayson Allen (hamstring) is once again questionable on the injury report before Saturday's Game 3 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Strangely, the Suns haven't played their fourth-leading scorer in the series yet, despite Allen being upgraded from questionable to available for both Game 1 and Game 2. After practicing fully on Friday, the 30-year-old will likely be active again on Saturday, but it remains uncertain whether he'll actually get playing time.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Mark Williams Won't Play Saturday
Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams (foot) will remain out on Saturday against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Phoenix's first-round matchup against the defending champions reaches Game 3, but Williams hasn't played in the series yet due to a left-foot injury. Oso Ighodaro will continue to start at center, with Khaman Maluach handling backup minutes. In the first two games, Ighodaro was productive on the glass, averaging 8.5 rebounds. However, he has made a limited offensive impact, scoring 3.5 points per game. Maluach hasn't done much for the Suns either, notching 2.0 points and 2.5 rebounds across 16.5 minutes.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Victor Wembanyama Will Miss Game 3 Against Trail Blazers
San Antonio Spurs forward/center Victor Wembanyama (concussion) has been ruled out for Game 3 against the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night. Wembanyama went through shootaround on Friday, but he hasn't been cleared for Friday's game after being listed as questionable on the initial injury report. San Antonio will miss Wembanyama's presence on both ends of the floor. His next chance to suit up will be on Sunday in Game 4. Luke Kornet will replace Wembanyama in the starting unit on Friday night and should have his hands full against Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams III.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
