Nov 2, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) moves the ball against Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
As the NBA Playoffs approach, our injury tracker is keeping up with every key rotation player who could miss part of the postseason.
With the regular season winding down, Injuries to key players are casting a long shadow over several playoff races with the potential to stretch into the Play-In Tournament, the first round and beyond.
A few important dates to remember — the last day of the NBA regular season is Apr. 9. The Play-In Tournament will run from Apr. 11 to Apr. 14. The first round of the playoffs will begin on Apr. 15.
To help keep track of who is out and for how long, we’re rounding up details on injuries to key rotation players that could affect Play-In or postseason availability and updating it daily. Here is the latest from around the league.
[LAST UPDATED 3/23]
NBA Playoffs injury tracker: Who could miss postseason games?
Brooklyn Nets injury report:
- Ben Simmons is out with back and knee soreness and hasn’t played since Feb. 15. As of today, there is no timeline for his return.
Golden State Warriors injury report:
- Gary Payton II hasn’t appeared in a game for the Warriors since they reacquired him at the trade deadline, because of an adductor injury that also limited him to 15 games with the Trail Blazers at the beginning of the season. There is no timeline for his return but the team is reportedly “optimistic” that he will be back before the end of the regular season.
- Andrew Wiggins is away from the team for undisclosed personal reasons and hasn’t played since before the All-Star break. There is currently no timeline for his return.
Los Angeles Clippers injury report:
- Paul George is out with a sprained knee. On Mar. 22, the team announced that he would be re-evaluated in two to three weeks (between Apr. 5 and Apr. 12).
- Norman Powell has been out with a shoulder injury since Mar. 3. On Mar. 19, the Clippers announced he would be re-evaluated in one week (Mar. 26).
Los Angeles Lakers injury report:
- LeBron James is still recovering from a foot injury and hasn’t played since TK. On Mar. 23 the Lakers said he had resumed on-court activity and they were hoping he could return for the final 3-to-4 games of the regular season.
- Mo Bamba has been out with a high ankle sprain since Mar. 9. The Lakers initially said he would be re-evaluated in four weeks (Apr. 6).
Memphis Grizzlies injury report:
- Steven Adams has been out with a knee strain since Jan. 23. On Mar. 9, the team updated his timeline, saying that he would be out for at least the next four weeks. That would put his return date as Apr. 6, in a best-case scenario.
- Brandon Clarke is out for the rest of the regular season and playoffs with an Achilles injury.
Minnesota Timberwolves injury report:
- Anthony Edwards has been out since Mar. 13 with an ankle injury. There is currently no timetable for his return.
New Orleans Pelicans injury report:
- Jose Alvarado is out with a stress injury in his tibia. On Mar. 22, it was announced he would be re-evaluated in two-to-three weeks (between Apr. 5 and Apr. 12).
- Zion Williamson returned to on-court activities on Mar. 22 but is not yet ready to return to game action. He will be re-evaluated in two weeks (Apr. 5).
Phoenix Suns injury report:
- Kevin Durant has been out of the lineup with an ankle sprain since Mar. 8. The Suns are reportedly optimistic he can return before the end of March.
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