NBA Injury Report Week 10 (23rd Dec): Update on LeBron James' return date, Gordon Hayward should be back this week and more

We are quickly approaching 2020, and injuries are starting to pile up for several teams around the NBA. As the race to secure a playoff spot intensifies over the coming weeks, teams will be eager to get their best players back on the court, and here we will take a look at all the latest injury updates from around the league heading into Week 10 of the 2019-20 NBA season.

---

#1 LeBron James - Muscle Strain - Should return this week

LeBron James should be fit to face the Clippers

LeBron James missed Los Angeles' defeat to the Denver Nuggets on Monday night with a thoracic muscle strain, and the Lakers struggled without their superstar as they fell to a third successive loss. Nevertheless, Dave McMenamin of ESPN is reporting that James' injury isn't serious, and the 34-year-old is expected to return for LA's blockbuster showdown with the Clippers on Christmas day.

---

#2 Mike Conley - Hamstring - Likely out for the remainder of 2019

Mike Conley has struggled to make an impact with the Jazz

Mike Conley's first season with the Jazz hasn't turned out as planned, and the point guard suffered another setback last week after reaggravating his hamstring injury against the Magic. Conley missed five games after developing the injury in early December, and Shams Charania of The Athletic is reporting that the veteran could once again miss multiple weeks with the injury.

---

#3 Gordon Hayward - Foot - Should return this week

Gordon Hayward's season has been impacted by injuries

Gordon Hayward sat out of Boston's clash with the Hornets last night, marking the third consecutive game that he has missed. Nevertheless, an MRI scan on his injured foot came back clean, and unless he suffers a setback - the forward is expected to return this week.

#4 Rui Hachimura - Groin - Out until Dec. 26

Rui Hachimura has been one of the most impressive rookies of the season

Rui Hachimura has been excellent over the past few weeks, although the forward faces a spell on the sidelines after injuring his groin in the first half of Washington's win over the Pistons last Monday. Hachimura could still play again this year, although the rookie will definitely be out until Washington's four-game road trip concludes on December 26.

---

#5 Marc Gasol - Hamstring - Out for a 'period of weeks'

Marc Gasol has started 27 times for the Raptors this season

Marc Gasol has been a regular starter for the Raptors this season, although the veteran sustained a hamstring injury during Toronto's win over the Pistons. While the Raptors haven't announced how long the Spaniard will miss, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that the 34-year-old could miss a 'period of weeks' with the injury.

---

#6 John Wall - Achilles - Expected to miss entire season but Wizards open to a return

John Wall has joined his teammates for the shootaround over the past week

John Wall was ruled out of the entire 2019-20 season after tearing his Achilles in a freak accident at his home back in February 2019. However, the point guard has been working out with the Wizards ahead of their recent games, and head coach Scott Brooks says that the door is still open for the All-Star to return this season.

#7 Matisse Thybulle - Knee - Out Indefinitely

Matisse Thybulle has played 30 times for the Sixers so far this season

Matisse Thybulle has played a steady role from the bench during his rookie season with the Sixers, although Kyle Neubeck of Philly Voice is reporting that the 22-year-old is out indefinitely with a right knee sprain. The Sixers haven't set a return date, although Neubeck is reporting that the team will reevaluate Thybulle in two weeks.

---

#8 Pascal Siakam - Groin - Out indefinitely

Pascal Siakam has enjoyed an excellent season

Pascal Siakam injured his groin during Toronto's win over the Pistons last week, and the 2019 MVP has been listed by the Raptors as being out indefinitely. However, it is believed that Siakam's injury is 'mild' and the 25-year-old is expected to be reassessed at some point this week ahead of a potential return.

---

#9 Zion Williamson - Knee - Still no return date set

Zion Williamson has yet to make his NBA debut

Zion Williamson entered the NBA as the most talked-about rookie since LeBron James, although the 19-year-old has yet to make his debut due to a knee injury. Williamson's initial return timeframe of 6-8 weeks has now passed, and while the Duke product can 'bear weight' on his right knee, the Pelicans have warned fans that Williamson's return is still 'a ways away'.