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A number of unfortunate injuries have already had an impact on the 2023 NBA Playoffs.
During the first weekend, Memphis’ Ja Morant, Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo and Miami’s Tyler Herro were each forced to exit Game 1 of their respective series while LA’s Paul George entered the postseason hobbled by a knee injury.
And while injuries are an accepted reality of the game, the number of players affected has changed the outlook on the postseason.
As injury situations around the NBA continue to develop, The Sporting News has you updated with the latest news regarding injuries to key rotational players for teams in the 2023 NBA Playoffs. Click below to go to a specific series.
Latest NBA injury news: Bucks vs. Heat | Celtics vs. Hawks | 76ers vs. Nets | Cavaliers vs. Knicks | Nuggets vs. Timberwolves | Grizzlies vs. Lakers | Kings vs. Warriors | Suns vs. Clippers
Giannis Antetokounmpo — Lower back contusion
Antetokounmpo was forced to exit Game 1 of Milwaukee’s first-round series with Miami after suffering a lower back contusion from a fall in the first quarter. According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, there is optimism that Antetokounmpo will be available for Game 2 on Wednesday, April 19.
However, Antetokounmpo was listed as “doubtful” on the team’s official injury report on Tuesday.
MORE: Latest updates on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s back injury
Miami Heat
Tyler Herro — Broken right hand
While diving for a loose ball in Game 1 vs. the Bucks, Herro broke the middle and ring finger on his shooting hand. He was given a recovery timeline of “approximately 4-6 weeks,” effectively ending his time in the 2023 NBA Playoffs after just one half.
MORE: Tyler Herro suffers broken right hand in Game 1
Danilo Gallinari — Left ACL recovery
On Sept. 2, 2022, Gallinari was diagnosed with a torn ACL in his left knee, an injury sustained while playing for Italy in a FIBA World Cup Qualifier. After undergoing surgery in September, Gallinari has been rehabbing throughout the 2022-23 season but has not been cleared to return.
Atlanta Hawks
No injuries
No injuries
Brooklyn Nets
Ben Simmons — Nerve impingement (back)
Simmons last played on Feb. 15 before being taken out of the lineup with issues in his knee and back. On March 28, Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn informed reporters that Simmons would be out for the remainder of the regular season and playoffs to begin a rehab program.
MORE: Why Ben Simmons won’t play in Nets vs. 76ers series
No injuries
New York Knicks
Josh Hart — Sprained right ankle
Late in New York’s Game 1 win over Cleveland, Hart sustained a sprained left ankle after fighting for a defensive rebound. Hart finished the game but after experiencing swelling postgame and overnight, was listed as doubtful for Game 2 on Tuesday, April 18.
MORE: Josh Hart’s status for Game 2 and beyond
No injuries
Minnesota Timberwolves
Jaden McDaniels — Fractured right hand
McDaniels, one of the league’s most gifted young perimeter defenders, sustained a fractured right hand when he punched a wall in frustration during the Timberwolves’ regular-season finale. Minnesota has ruled McDaniels out indefinitely.
Naz Reid — Fractured left wrist
After suffering a left wrist injury on March 29, Reid underwent surgery to repair a left scaphoid fracture on April 5. The Timberwolves have ruled Reid out indefinitely and, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the team would need to make a deep run in order for Reid to have a chance to return.
Steven Adams — Sprained right PCL
On Jan. 22, Adams suffered a sprained PCL in his right knee and has been sidelined since. As the regular season came to a close, Wojnarowski reported that Adams’ knee will likely keep him out for the entirety of the playoffs.
Brandon Clarke — Left Achilles surgery
Clarke suffered a torn left Achilles tendon on March 3 and on March 6 announced that he had undergone successful surgery to repair the injury. As with all Achilles injuries, Clarke is expected to miss between nine months to a full calendar year.
Ja Morant — Right hand injury
Morant hurt his right hand after a fall in the fourth quarter of Game 1 against the Lakers. Neither the injury nor its severity has been specified, but ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski has reported that there is significant doubt that Morant will be available for Game 2 on Wednesday, April 19.
Los Angeles Lakers
No injuries
Matthew Dellavedova — Right index finger surgery
After sustaining a fracture on March 29, Dellavedova underwent successful surgery on April 5. He is expected to make a full recovery but his status for the postseason is unclear.
Golden State Warriors
Andre Iguodala — Left wrist surgery
Iguodala fractured his left wrist on March 13 and underwent surgery to stabilize the fracture on March 21. He was given a four-week timeline for re-evaluation, leaving a slight possibility for a return during the postseason.
Cameron Payne — Lower back soreness
Payne took a hard fall on April 7 and has been nursing a sore lower back ever since. The injury held him out of Phoenix’s final regular season game and Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs, but he is listed as questionable for Game 2.
LA Clippers
Paul George — Sprained right knee
On March 21, George went down with a right knee injury that was jarring visually. Despite the perceived nature of his injury, George was diagnosed with a sprained right knee, leaving the door open for a potential return in the playoffs, though Wojnarowski has reported that George will “likely” miss the entirety of the opening round.