April 2024 Basketball Wiretap

Christian Wood Available For Lakers For Game 4

Apr 27, 2024 6:59 PM

Los Angeles Lakers big man Christian Wood is available to play in Game 4. Wood hasn't played since February 14, due to a knee injury.

Los Angeles had hoped he might be available for Game 3, but Wood wasn't quite ready to return. The Lakers are down 3-0 against the Denver Nuggets entering Game 4 of the first round.

In his first season with Los Angeles, Wood averaged 6.9 points and 5.1 rebounds in 17.4 minutes per game. Wood mostly came off the bench, starting in just one of his 50 appearances for the Lakers.

Dave McMenamin/ESPN

Tags: Christian Wood, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA Injury

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Doc Rivers Doubts Giannis Antetokounmpo Will Play In Game 4

Apr 27, 2024 1:43 PM

The Milwaukee Bucks are potentially down a second superstar, with Damian Lillard battling an Achilles strain. Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers doesn't think Giannis Antetokounmpo, the first injured Bucks superstar, will be back for Game 4 either.

When asked where Antetokounmpo is at with rehabbing his strained calf, Rivers said "He’s working out tomorrow. Going to go hard, early and then we’re going to make a decision".

Rivers was asked if Antetokounmpo works out before Sunday's Game 4 if the star forward would play. Rivers didn't commit, but seemed to lean towards Antetokounmpo not playing.

"I doubt it," Rivers said. "But we’ll see."

The Indiana Pacers lead the series 2-1, with Game 4 in Indiana on Sunday. The series shifts back to Milwaukee for Game 5 on Tuesday.

Jamal Collier/ESPN

Tags: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, NBA, NBA Injury

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Damian Lillard Has Strained Achilles, Doubtful For Game 4

Apr 27, 2024 12:47 PM

Damian Lillard has suffered a strained Achilles. Lillard is in a walking boot and is doubtful for Game 4 of the Milwaukee Bucks' first round series against the Indiana Pacers.

Lillard has been playing through Achilles soreness for several weeks. He re-aggravated the injury in the fourth quarter of Friday's game. He finished the overtime loss but was spotted limping at several different points. Following the game, Bucks coach Doc Rivers said Lillard had an Achilles injury, but he didn't know the extent at that time.

The Pacers took a 2-1 series lead with the victory on Friday night. Game 4 will be Sunday night in Indiana. The series will then shift back to Milwaukee for Game 5 on Tuesday.

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Tags: Damian Lillard, Milwaukee Bucks, NBA, NBA Injury

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Kawhi Leonard Still Experiencing Knee Issues

Apr 27, 2024 8:51 AM

After returning for Game 2 of the LA Clippers first round series against the Dallas Mavericks, Kawhi Leonard also played in Game 3. However, Leonard said his right knee is still giving him some issues.

When asked about his knee, Leonard said that it "just didn't respond the way we wanted" after he returned for Game 2 of the series. Leonard said he still plans to play in Game 4.

"Yeah," Leonard said about playing on Sunday afternoon. "Right now, I'll see [how it feels] tomorrow. But I want to play."

The Clippers lost Game 3 in Dallas. That gave the Mavericks a 2-1 series lead. Game 4 is Sunday at 3:30 PM ET.

Ohm Youngmisuk/ESPN

Tags: Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers, NBA, NBA Injury

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Damian Lillard Aggravates Achilles Injury During Bucks' Loss

Apr 27, 2024 1:39 AM

Damian Lillard aggravated an Achilles injury in the fourth quarter of the Milwaukee Bucks' overtime loss to the Indiana Pacers in Game 3.

Lillard, who finished with 28 points, did not take a shot in overtime.

"I just wanted to be on the floor in case opportunity came up or however I could help," said Lillard.

Lillard added that his Achilles had been sore since the Bucks' regular season finale.

With the Bucks down 2-1 in the series, Game 4 is on Sunday.

"We're gonna get back and just have to get ahead of it because that's not something that you want to play with ... we have a couple of days to start and try to get ahead of it. Get it feeling better and get ready for Sunday," said Lillard. 

Jamal Collier/ESPN

Tags: Damian Lillard, Milwaukee Bucks, NBA, NBA Injury

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Giannis Antetokounmpo Ruled Out For Game 3

Apr 26, 2024 2:23 PM

The Milwaukee Bucks have ruled out Giannis Antetokounmpo for Game 3 with a left calf strain.

Antetokounmpo previously missed Games 1 and 2. Antetokounmpo hasn't played since straining his left calf in an April 9 victory over the Boston Celtics. 

Khris Middleton also has a sprained right ankle that kept him from practicing Thursday and puts his status in question for Game 3 in Indianapolis.

ESPN

Tags: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, NBA, NBA Injury, NBA Playoffs

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Mitchell Robinson Exited Game 3 Early, Left Arena In Walking Boot

Apr 26, 2024 8:40 AM

Mitchell Robinson exited the New York Knicks Game 3 loss at the Philadelphia 76ers at halftime with a sprained left ankle. Robinson initially stayed in the game, but was clearly hobbled by the injury. Following the game, the Knicks center was spotted leaving the arena in a walking boot.

Robinson was injured when Sixers center Joel Embiid fell to the floor when trying to draw an offensive foul. He grabbed at Robinson while falling and pulled Robinson to the floor. The play was later ruled a Flagrant 1 foul on Embiid.

Following the game, several Knicks called the play "dirty" from Embiid. New York will update Robinson's status ahead of Game 4 on Sunday.

Jake Fischer/Yahoo Sports

Tags: Mitchell Robinson, New York Knicks, NBA, NBA Injury

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Khris Middleton Questionable For Game 3 With Sprained Ankle

Apr 26, 2024 1:40 AM

Khris Middleton is questionable for Game 3 against the Indiana Pacers with a sprained right ankle.

"It's another holding-our-breath situation. Honestly, I don't know," said Doc Rivers about Middleton's status.

Middleton, who did not practice on Thursday, suffered the injury in Game 2.

The series is tied 1-1.

Rivers added that Giannis Antetokounmpo is "getting close" to returning to the Bucks lineup.

"Does that mean a day, four days? I'm not sure," added Rivers.

ESPN

Tags: Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks, NBA, NBA Injury

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Joel Embiid Treated For Bell's Palsy Since Play-In Game

Apr 25, 2024 10:59 PM

Joel Embiid has been treated for a mild case of Bell's palsy over the past week. Bell's palsy is an unexplained episode of facial muscle weakness or paralysis. 

The condition began during the Philadelphia 76ers' Play-In win last week against the Miami Heat. Embiid has been spotted wearing sunglasses inside, which is related to the condition. Embiid had wanted to keep the situation private to avoid distractions for the Sixers.

Embiid had 50 points in Philadelphia's Game 3 win over the New York Knicks.

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia Sixers, NBA, NBA Injury

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Doc Rivers: Giannis Antetokounmpo Getting Close, But I Don't Know What That Even Means

Apr 25, 2024 3:46 PM

The Milwaukee Bucks held practice on Thursday before flying to play at the Indiana Pacers in Game 3. The Bucks and Pacers are tied at 1-1 in the series.

Giannis Antetokounmpo remained out of full participation as he continues to deal with a calf injury.

Doc Rivers said Antetokounmpo "did a lot of floor stuff today, probably the most I've seen."

Antetokounmpo did no live practicing, but advanced beyond just walking through drills by "shooting and moving."

"He's getting close," Rivers said. "But, I don't know what that even means. I'm being honest. I saw him moving around and in my mind I said he's getting close. Does that mean a day, four days? I'm not sure."

Jim Owczarski/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Tags: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, NBA, NBA Injury

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Dean Wade Ruled Out For Remainder Of First Round

RealGM Staff Report

Grayson Allen Day-To-Day With Ankle Injury, X-Rays Negative

ESPN

Zion Williamson Says 'Realistic' Chance He Returns From Hamstring Injury During Playoffs

Andrew Lopez/ESPN

Kawhi Leonard Questionable For Game 2 On Tuesday

Ohm Youngmisuk/ESPN

Jarred Vanderbilt Targets Game 3 Return

Dave McMenamin/ESPN

Tyrese Maxey Questionable For Game 2 With Illness

Tim Bontemps/ESPN

Jarred Vanderbilt Remains Day-To-Day With Foot Sprain

Dave McMenamin/ESPN

Christian Wood Available For Lakers For Game 3

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Kawhi Leonard Out For Game 1 Against Mavericks

RealGM Staff Report

Sixers Not Considering Shutting Down Joel Embiid

Kyle Neubeck/PHLY

Kawhi Leonard May Not Be Available To Start Playoffs

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Terry Rozier Considered Week-To-Week With Neck Injury

Barry Jackson/Miami Herald

Clippers Receive $25K Fine Over Violating Injury Reporting Rules

ESPN

Alex Caruso Expects To Play In Friday's Play-In Game

Jamal Collier/ESPN

Alex Caruso Is Game-Time Decision For Friday Versus Heat

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Kawhi Leonard Dealing With Inflammation In Knee, Questionable For Game 1

Ohm Youngmisuk/ESPN

Jimmy Butler Likely Out Multiple Weeks With MCL Injury

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Damian Lillard Returns To Practice On Wednesday

ESPN

Ty Lue Unsure Of Kawhi Leonard Availability For Game 1

Ohm Youngmisuk/ESPN

Alex Caruso Has 'Significant' Left Ankle Sprain, Doubtful For Friday

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN