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With the second round of the NBA playoffs getting underway Saturday, here’s a look at key injury situations to monitor among teams still in contention for the 2021 NBA championship. Some of these players are out from injuries suffered in the regular season while others got hurt recently. Here are the injuries bettors should monitor.
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
Status: Questionable to play Game 1
Embiid suffered a small meniscus tear in Game 4 against the Washington Wizards, leading to his status being in question for Game 1 against the Hawks in the second round. The 76ers had no trouble finishing off the Wizards in Game 5, but Atlanta offers more firepower and is riding high on confidence. The 76ers are currently behind Brooklyn and Milwaukee to win the East, but that could change if Embiid returns to 100 percent.
Mike Conley, Utah Jazz
Status: Day-to-day
Conley has a mild hamstring strain and didn’t play in Utah’s Game 5 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. The Jazz await the winner of the Clippers-Mavericks series, so Conley has some additional time to rest. He’s been instrumental for Utah in the postseason, averaging 17.4 points and 8.6 assists per game while shooting 54.8 percent from three. With the Lakers out of the playoffs, the Jazz are now the favorites to win the West at +125.
Donte DiVincenzo, Milwaukee Bucks
Status: Out for rest of season
DiVincenzo suffered a foot contusion in Game 3 against the Heat, ending his season. He averaged 10.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per game this season and would’ve been a nice piece to have against the Nets. Milwaukee will have to find a way to make up for his floor spacing, but the Bucks have plenty of players to pick up DiVincenzo’s production. Milwaukee is just behind Brooklyn to win the East at +250.
De’Andre Hunter, Atlanta Hawks
Status: Questionable to play Game 1
Hunter is a crucial role player for the Hawks, averaging 10.8 points and 4.0 rebounds in 30.3 minutes per game vs. the New York Knicks. He performed well in Game 5, scoring 15 points on 6-11 shooting as the Hawks closed out the series. Expect other role players like Kevin Huerter and Danilo Gallinari to take on more minutes if Hunter can’t go.
Cam Reddish, Atlanta Hawks
Status: Out indefinitely
Reddish has been out since late February and while his absence hasn’t crushed the Hawks, the postseason experience would’ve been nice for the second-year forward. Atlanta is expected to re-evaluate him as the postseason goes on, but he likely won’t see the floor unless the Hawks make a surprise run.
Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets
Status: Out indefinitely
Murray is out with an ACL injury, effectively ending his 2020-21 season. He’s been cheering the Nuggets on from the sidelines, but Denver seems to have lost value once he went down despite beating the Trail Blazers in the first round. If healthy, Murray could’ve changed the entire postseason landscape. He’ll have to hope his teammates can do it without him.
Chris Paul, Phoenix Suns
Status: Active
Paul suffered a shoulder injury early in the opening round against the Lakers, but battled through the pain to help the Suns win the series. He appears to be fully recovered from the setback, but keep an eye on this situation in case it takes an unexpected turn.