Latest Injury Buzz Ahead of NBA Opening Night
The 2015 NBA preseason is coming to a close, and now our favorite teams are looking ahead to a highly anticipated opening week. With many teams missing some key players in action over these past few weeks, will they be fully prepared to properly kick the season off? Let's take a look at the latest injury buzz across the league to find out:
Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers guard Jamal Crawford suffered a right triceps contusion during practice on Wednesday, as reported by Dan Woike of the Orange County Register. According to Rotoworld's lastest injury listing, the bright side is that he is listed as "day-to-day."
This is definitely good news for the Clippers, who benefit greatly from Crawford's contributions. Last season, he averaged 15.8 points and 2.5 assists coming off the bench. As described by our very own Bleacher Report featured columnist Scott Polacek, "He is one of the NBA’s most notable 'heat check' guys who can go on a streak from behind the arc at a moment’s notice."
The Clippers are looking to continue to dominate the West and, more importantly, make an NBA Finals appearance. Along with reliable scoring options like Crawford, the team added veteran elite scorer Paul Pierce to reunite with his former Boston Celtics head coach, Doc Rivers. Re-signing De'Andre Jordan will bring back a strong presence on the defensive end. Crawford making a quick return to the court will only solidify the Clippers' chances of getting closer to this year's Finals.
Los Angeles Lakers
Lakers star Kobe Bryant sat out the team's last preseason game against the Golden State Warriors, which resulted in a 136-97 loss against the reigning champions. This is the third game he has missed this preseason after suffering a calf contusion last week.
However, Lakers head coach Byron Scott is confident he'll be locked and loaded for next week's season opener.
"There's no doubt in my mind [that he'll play in that game]," Scott said to Baxter Holmes of ESPN.com before his team faced the Warriors on Thursday. "Talking to him [Thursday], he said he's just gearing up for Wednesday. I said, 'Good, because that's what I'm gearing up for as well.' There's no doubt in my mind. It will take a whole lot to keep him out of that game."
Also injured in Thursday's Lakers loss was starting point guard Jordan Clarkson, who left the game against Golden State with a right shoulder sprain.
"It was like a really sharp pain," Clarkson told Holmes when asked about the injury. "I think it’s minor, but I guess we’ll see [Friday]. Obviously [the injury] puts a damper on the way we want to start the season," said Lakers coach Byron Scott. "It might be without [Clarkson], next Wednesday, so we’ll just have to wait and see."
According to Holmes, he received an MRI early Friday, and the results "came back normal":
He is listed as "day-to-day," but there may be some doubt that he will be ready for next week's season opener, as the team will determine his availability "early next week," according to Holmes.
It is no secret that the Lakers are trying to make a title run in Bryant's last season with the team. Clarkson has proven to be a very reliable and promising talent for the relatively young squad. During preseason, the young guard averaged 12 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists.
"It’s pretty frustrating because that kid has done so well for us in the preseason," coach Scott said to Holmes following the injury. "He plays so hard. And obviously even with this he still has a very bright future."
Cleveland Cavaliers
Cavaliers forward LeBron James continues to sit out of practice and games after receiving an anti-inflammatory injection in his back on October 13, but he is expected to return for Tuesday's season opener against the Chicago Bulls.
According to Joe Vardon of the Northeast Ohio Media Group: "The Cavs, though, insist the latest shot James took was proactive and he was not hurt. After practice Thursday, James was among a handful of Cavs players chucking footballs on the grassy knoll outside of the team's practice facility. He was firing spirals and even caught five consecutive passes before setting down any of the balls, clutching all of them against his chest."
"We're being very conscientious and cautious with him in terms of his feeling," Cavaliers head coach David Blatt said to Tom Withers of the Associated Press (via NBA.com). "He's fine, and he's going to be fine. We're just going slowly and carefully with him. He'll be out there very soon."
Although the Cavs recently re-signed forward Tristan Thompson, James' health is a key factor to the team's mission of returning to the Finals this year. Last season, the four-time MVP averaged 25.3 points per game, along with 7.4 assists and 6.0 rebounds, and nearly carried the Cavaliers all the way to a title win.
After a heartbreaking Finals loss at home against the Warriors, the Cavs are looking to rebound for another appearance. In addition to a healthy James, the Cavs will need a healthy Kyrie Irving (knee) and Iman Shumpert (wrist) to return at their guard spots and for big man Kevin Love to remain injury-free as well.
