The latest updates on the biggest injuries that will impact the NBA Playoffs.
The official start of the 2022 NBA Playoffs is just days away, but there is some real uncertainty as it pertains to the availability of some of the league’s biggest stars. With the first-round set to tip-off this weekend, let’s take a look at the latest updates regarding Stephen Curry, Ben Simmons, and Luka Doncic.
Steph Curry will be ready for Game 1?
The latest update from The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Curry is on track to play in Game 1. He needs to get through practice Thursday, but all indications are that Curry will be ready for the start of the Golden State Warriors’ first-round series against the Denver Nuggets.
This is a huge development considering how poor the Warriors were playing down the stretch. However, it seems this team is going to be fully healthy (at least in terms of availability) to begin the playoffs.
Ben Simmons could return during the middle of the Nets’ first-round series against the Celtics
In somewhat of a stunning turn of events, it seems like there’s at least a chance that Ben Simmons will make his season debut for the Brooklyn Nets at some point during the team’s first-round series against the Boston Celtics.
Per Shams, the target date for Simmons to make his debut for the Nets is during Games 4-6. I suppose a lot of that depends on how the series is playing out for the Nets. If the series seems out of hand for Brooklyn, perhaps this is revisited. However, if it is competitive, perhaps the return of Simmons is something that could flip the series in Brooklyn’s favor.
Bad news for Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks
We’d like to keep the positive vibes going, but according to a recent report from Shams, it appears that the Dallas Mavericks are going to be without Luka Doncic to start the series against the Utah Jazz.
This is huge news. Especially considering that Dallas owns homecourt in this series, something that could be lost in Game 1. If Luka misses more than Game 1, this series could get out of hand quickly.
The Jazz is not a team that should be taken lightly. They may have some internal issues going on behind the scenes, but if Luka is not healthy in this series I’m not sure how much of a chance the Mavs are going to realistically have of advancing.