Health is playing a role in the NBA playoffs as teams vie for the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Star absences have been a major talking point in the series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets.
Reaves’ Possible Return Boosts Lakers
Austin Reaves was upgraded from out to questionable with his oblique strain. He had missed the final five games of the regular season and the first two games of the series. Reaves went down on April 2. Los Angeles has survived without Reaves in large part thanks to Herculean efforts from LeBron James as star guard Luka Dončić also remains on the bench with a Grade 2 hamstring strain.
Durant’s Ankle Sprain a Worry for Rockets
Kevin Durant is listed as questionable with a left ankle sprain. Durant missed Houston’s Game 1 loss due to a right knee bruise suffered in practice, but returned for Game 2, scoring 23 points in a loss. The Rockets’ offense has struggled this series. If Durant can’t play or is limited due to the ankle injury, that only adds to the emphasis on the rest of the Rockets to figure out how to create good looks.
Embiid Nearing Return for 76ers
Joel Embiid was upgraded from out to doubtful as he looks to return from an emergency appendectomy on April 9 that ended his regular season prematurely. The Philadelphia 76ers also got a positive addition to their injury report ahead of Game 3 in Philly. Whether Embiid is able to play in Game 3 or not, the fact that their star center is ramping up towards playing is a good sign for a Sixers squad that stunned the Boston Celtics in Game 2 to even that series before it shifts to Philadelphia.
Other Injury Updates
- Jalen Williams suffered a Grade 1 hamstring strain in Game 2 against the Phoenix Suns.
- That will keep Williams out at least a week as he’ll be evaluated “weekly,” per an OKC team on a quest to defend last season’s title.
- The Denver Nuggets will also play in Game 3 on Thursday night without Aaron Gordon due to a calf injury.
The long-term health of players looms large as the race for the championship heats up.