NBA Injury Report Week 17: Kyrie Irving injury update, Isaiah Thomas return and more

Indiana Pacers v Boston Celtics
Indiana Pacers v Boston Celtics

The 2018/19 NBA regular season is quickly approaching the final stretch. The trade deadline is now in the league's rear window and the annual All-Star Weekend in North Carolina will take place in a week. Aside from the few top players who will be participating in the All-Star Game, the majority of the NBA will have a week's break to recover and prepare for the business end of the season.

Injuries have started to become more of a problem as the fixture schedule has increased and the All-Star Event will serve as a much-needed break for some injury-struck teams around the NBA. So, as the NBA gears up for the final push ahead of the playoffs, here are the latest injury updates on some of the leagues' top stars.


Aron Baynes - Left Foot Contusion - End of February

Cleveland Cavaliers v Boston Celtics
Cleveland Cavaliers v Boston Celtics

Just weeks after returning from a left-hand injury, Aron Baynes has once again been ruled out of action with another injury. This time, Baynes is set to miss a few weeks due to a left foot contusion, an injury that has already kept him out for the past week. While the Boston Celtics have yet to put a timescale on the Australian's return, Baynes is expected to return towards the end of February.


Clint Capela - Thumb Injury - Late February

Houston Rockets v Denver Nuggets
Houston Rockets v Denver Nuggets

After undergoing surgery to repair ligament damage in his thumb back in mid-January, Clint Capela has missed Houston's last 13 games. Capela had been expected to return after the All-Star break, and while the Rockets have offered no further update on his status, Mark Berman of Fox 26 is reporting that Capela still believes that he will be back for Houston's first game after All-Star Weekend.


Also read: NBA Games Today, TV Listings, and Latest Results: 12th February

Isaiah Thomas - Hip Injury - Day to Day

Denver Nuggets Media Day
Denver Nuggets Media Day

Isaiah Thomas has still not taken to the court for the Denver Nuggets, although Thomas' long wait could be about to come to an end. The point guard was sent to the G League last Friday for a rehab assignment, and Zach Bye of '104.3 The Fan' is reporting that Thomas won't stick around, and could return to the Nuggets first team as soon as tonight:

Isaiah Thomas will not play a single game in G-League. With Denver not practicing 5-5 regularly they were looking to get IT run. Formality on paper to participate in that practice led to report. He’s staying w/ Nuggets. Could play for Nugz soon as Monday.

If Thomas is to return tonight, he will make his debut against the struggling Miami Heat. Nevertheless, a return to action later in the week seems more likely, and the Nuggets game against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday may be Thomas' actual return date.

Kyrie Irving - Knee Sprain - Day to Day

Los Angeles Lakers v Boston Celtics
Los Angeles Lakers v Boston Celtics

Kyrie Irving recently left the court injured during the Celtics home game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Irving left the game with Boston up by 28 points, however, without their star playmaker, the Celtics fell to a 123-112 defeat.

The Celtics immediately confirmed that the 26-year-old had sprained his knee, and this led to concerns that Irving could miss a number of games due to recurring knee problems. Nevertheless, the injured knee is not the one Irving had surgery on last year, and ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski has provided a positive update:

Kyrie Irving’s right knee sprain isn’t serious and expected to be day-to-day on a return, league source tells ESPN.

The Celtics next play the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday, which will be a huge matchup against two of the East's best teams. Nevertheless, if Irving is not risked, he could return against the Detroit Pistons a day later.

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Edited by Sripad