NBA Injury Report Week 15: LeBron James update, Anthony Davis return and more

As we quickly approach both the trade deadline and the NBA All-Star Weekend, a number of teams around the league are having to deal with injuries.

The Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors are among the teams currently missing star players through injury, and here we will take a look at the return dates of a number of stars from around the NBA.

Victor Oladipo - Knee Injury - Out for Season

Charlotte Hornets vs Indianapolis Pacers

One of the NBA's biggest success stories of the last 12 months came to a screeching halt last week as Victor Oladipo suffered a serious injury during the Pacers game against the Toronto Raptors. The injury looked bad at the time, and it has now been confirmed that Oladipo will miss the rest of the season due to a ruptured quad tendon in his right knee.

The 26-year-old is also likely to miss the start of the 19/20 season, as the timescale for his return is estimated to be a minimum of nine months. The injury means that Oladipo finishes the 18/19 season averaging 18.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists.

Kevin Love - Toe Injury - No return date

Cleveland Cavaliers v Minnesota Timberwolves

Kevin Love returned to Cavaliers training last week, although the 30-year-old only participated in non-contact drills. Love has not featured for the Cavs since October and has played just four times this season. While the franchise has not set a return date for Love, the Cavs man is expected to be ready after the All-Star break.

Isaiah Thomas - Hip Injury - Late February

ESPN reported last week that the Nuggets were optimistic that Isaiah Thomas would return before the All-Star break, although this now looks unlikely. Nevertheless, the point guard has continued to nurse his hip injury and is likely to return to selection contention for the Nuggets first game after the break, on February 22nd.

Anthony Davis - Finger Injury - Should return later this week

Just over a week ago, Anthony Davis suffered a finger injury during the Pelicans' defeat to the Portland Trail Blazers. The injury has caused Davis to miss New Orleans' last four games, and the team has won just once while playing without their star man. Nevertheless, Davis' injury is not as bad as first feared, and the 25-year-old is expected to return later this week.

Jimmy Butler - Wrist Injury - Should return on Tuesday

Jimmy Butler has missed the Sixers' last three games with a wrist injury, and it has since been confirmed that the All-Star had suffered a sprain. It is the same wrist that Butler had surgery on last summer, although the 29-year-old is expected to return to the Sixers lineup for Tuesday's clash with the Los Angeles Lakers.

LeBron James - Groin - No Set Return Date

Los Angeles Lakers v Golden State Warriors

LeBron James was expected to return for at least one of the Lakers games last week, although the 14-time All-Star remains sidelined by a groin injury that has kept him out of action for more than a month. Nevertheless, at the weekend, the Lakers released this positive update on James' return:

LeBron James is back in full-contact defensive drills in practice with the Los Angeles Lakers for the first time since the four-time NBA MVP strained his groin.James will miss his 16th consecutive game Sunday when the Lakers host the Phoenix Suns.

While the Lakers organization is still refusing to put a timescale on James' return, the 34-year-old is expected to return later this week. Tuesday's game against the Sixers could come too early for the veteran, although James could feature against the LA Clippers or Golden State Warriors Warriors.

Edited by Sudeshna Banerjee