NBA Postseason Injury Report: Stephen Curry & John Collins Ready for First Round of 2022 NBA Playoffs
Following the NBA Play-In Tournament, the Charlotte Hornets, San Antonio Spurs, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Los Angeles Clippers have been eliminated from the postseason. The Brooklyn Nets clinched the seventh seed and the Atlanta Hawks notched the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves and New Orleans Pelicans snuck into the NBA Playoffs with the final two spots in the Western Conference. With the postseason set to kick off today, let’s look at the injuries that could affect playoff-bound teams and consider who may step up in the absence of some injury-riddled rosters.
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Players Injured Heading Into Playoffs
C Robert Williams III, Boston Celtics (Torn Meniscus, Knee)
Robert Williams III had a breakout season in Boston this year. It was cut short on March 27th, when the big man tore his meniscus in a game against the Timberwolves. A timeline to return from his surgery was originally set at about 4-6 weeks. This means that at the very least, Williams will not be playing in the first round of the playoffs this season. An optimistic projection would be considering him questionable for the second round of the playoffs if the Celtics make it past the Nets. Al Horford has seen his share of minutes and production increase since Williams blew out his knee late last month.
PG Ben Simmons, Brooklyn Nets (Herniated Disc, Back)
Recent reports indicate that Ben Simmons could make his Nets debut with limited minutes in the first round of the playoffs. Simmons was traded to the Nets alongside Andre Drummond and Seth Curry and a couple of draft picks in exchange for James Harden. While Drummond and Curry have both played efficient basketball for the Nets since arriving, a herniated disc has kept the Australian point guard inactive since arriving in Brooklyn. It will be interesting to see how the Nets plan to incorporate him into the lineup, especially now that Kyrie Irving is playing some of the best basketball you can ask for from a ball-handler. At the moment, it seems improbable that Simmons makes an appearance in the first round of the playoffs as the Simmons drama-saga continues into the postseason.
PG Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors (Sprained Ligament & Bone Bruise, Left Foot)
Stephen Curry missed the last 12 games of the Golden State Warriors’ regular season after sustaining a sprained ligament and a bone bruise in his left foot. The combination of both injuries to the same foot has been a hurdle for Curry late this season. Golden State just learned that Steph is expected to return to the Warriors' rotation for Game 1 of their first-round series against the Denver Nuggets. While Curry could face a minutes restriction in the first game or two, the Warriors will need playoff Steph on the court as much as possible. All in all, this is best-case scenario news for Warriors fans and Stephen Curry alike. With Curry back in the lineup, expect Jordan Poole's numbers to decrease. He was on an absolute tear while Steph was out in the final stretch of the regular season.
PG Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks (Calf)
Doncic sustained a left calf strain in the Mavericks’ last regular-season game. On Thursday, the Mavericks ruled him out for the first game of Dallas’ first-round series against the Utah Jazz. While Luka may be out Saturday and is likely doubtful for Game 2, there is hope in the organization that he could return midway through the Dallas’ first-round series against the Utah Jazz. Doncic out means that Jalen Brunson will be the primary ball-handler for at least Game 1. In addition, expect Spencer Dinwiddie to see added minutes and score more than usual. Let's not forget how many points he scored per night in Washington in games where Bradley Beal was inactive.
PG Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies (Soreness, Right Knee)
After missing nine games for Memphis due to right knee soreness, Ja Morant made a brief appearance on April 9 against the Pelicans. In that game, he produced 21 points (7-14 FG), four rebounds, nine assists, and one block in 27 minutes on the floor. He should be game ready for the first round of the playoffs, and the Grizzlies who have been rolling without him will certainly be happy to have him healthy for the playoffs. It is noteworthy that before missing nine games, Morant had missed multiple weeks due to a sprained ankle. The end of the regular season was tough on Morant’s body, but the rest he’s gotten before the first round of the playoffs should go a long way for him to be the Ja we all know and love once the Grizzlies begin their post-season.
PF/C Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans (Foot/Conditioning)
Zion Williamson has not played all season and few people know if he can play or not other than him. Now that the Pelicans have won back-to-back play-in games to earn the eighth seed in the Western Conference, many would hope that Zion could return this postseason to help New Orleans make a playoff push. The issue is that the Pelicans organization and Zion Williamson seem to be on different pages with one another about the magnitude of Williamson’s injury and his current health status. One video surfaced of Zion looking pretty fit hammering a 360-slam dunk in warm-ups.
At the moment, it’s more reasonable to consider Williamson doubtful for the first round (at least), than to expect he’ll play a game or two against the Phoenix Suns. Regardless, the Pelicans seem to be doing just fine without him. While Jonas Valanciunas might not be the raw athletic powerhouse that Zion is when healthy, he's certainly done a great job being the Pelicans' best option at center.
PG Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets (Torn ACL, Right Knee)
Jamal Murray hasn’t played an NBA game since tearing his ACL in April 2021. The most recent news comes from HC Mike Malone, who is doubtful Murray will be available for their first-round playoff matchup. Ultimately, the Nuggets are concerned with preserving his long-term health and making sure he is fully ready to have a big season next year. His status is uncertain going into the playoffs. Without him this season, Monte Morris has held his own running the point.
PF John Collins, Atlanta Hawks (Finger & Foot)
Hawks power forward John Collins has been dealing with two relatively minor yet frustrating injuries that have kept him out for quite some time now. Now that the Hawks have earned the eighth seed in the East after beating the Cavaliers on the road, Collins' status for Game 1 of Atlanta's first-round series against the Miami Heat remained in question. Collins, who hadn't played since March 11, was also ruled out for both play-in games. Shams Charania reported this afternoon that John Collins will suit up and play in Game 1 of Atlanta's first-round series.
Over the last few months, Danilo Gallinari has seen added time on the floor with Collins inactive, even playing 40+ minutes in the Hawks play-in game. If Collins can play up to 30 minutes per game, expect Gallinari's minutes and production to decrease substantially. This is especially great news for the Hawks because of the knee injury Clint Capella sustained in Game 1. The Hawks fear that Capella is likely to miss a large chunk of Atlanta's first-round series. If Capella remains out, Collins is Atlanta's best available big man going into the first round.
Playoff Team Players Out For Season
SG Joe Harris, Brooklyn Nets (Ankle)
Joe Harris has ruled out for the season almost two months ago. Harris will not be in the Nets’ rotation at any point throughout the postseason. Harris has been out for the vast majority of the season.
PG Lonzo Ball, Chicago Bulls (Left Knee)
The Chicago Bulls will be playing the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. Unfortunately for Chicago, they will be without the services of Lonzo Ball. Ball has been sidelined since January 28 after undergoing surgery to treat a bone bruise in his left knee. Although many hoped Lonzo would be ready for the postseason, Chicago announced that he will be out for the rest of the season (including the playoffs).
Coby White has been the beneficiary of Ball’s injury. His minutes have steadily increased since the beginning of the season. The Bulls are also playing significantly more through Zach LaVine and DeMar Derozan, both of whom play close to 40 minutes per game. While the loss of Lonzo Ball hurts Chicago, the team’s depth among guards is deep. As a result, I don’t think Ball’s absence from the Bulls’ rotation will hurt them significantly. Between Alex Caruso, DeRozan, LaVine, and Coby White, the Chicago Bulls still have a great chance to compete against the reigning NBA Champions. Plus, Nikola Vucevic should have a mismatch against Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis in the paint.
SG Tim Hardaway Jr., Dallas Mavericks (Foot)
Mavericks HC Jason Kidd stated Tuesday that it would be unlikely for Tim Hardaway Jr. to return at any point this postseason. Dorian Finney-Smith will continue to be the Mavs' best option at small forward.
C James Wiseman, Golden State Warriors (Knee)
James Wiseman was ruled out for the end of the regular season and the postseason in late March. Golden State will therefore keep relying on Draymond Green and Kevon Looney as its two main bigs into the postseason.
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