NBA Injury Report Week 19 (24th Feb): Kyrie Irving out for the season, Karl-Anthony Towns not ready for return and more

With just a third of the season left to play, teams around the league are running out of time to achieve their targets for the campaign, and there will be a frantic dash for the postseason over the next two months. Due to the relentless schedule, several teams are dealing with notable injury absences - and here we will take a look at the latest NBA injury report as we head into Week 19 of the season.

#1 Kyrie Irving - Shoulder - Out for the season

Kyrie Irving's debut season with the Nets is over due to a shoulder injury

Kyrie Irving has played just 20 times this season due to injuries, and Brooklyn head coach Kenny Atkinson has announced that the 27-year-old's debut season with the Nets is over after reaggravating his shoulder injury. The Nets are yet to set a return date for Irving, although they will be hoping that he will be back for the start of the 2020-21 campaign.

#2 Klay Thompson - Knee - Out for the season

Klay Thompson won't return this season due to a knee injury

Klay Thompson has not played since suffering a torn ACL in Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals. There has been some speculation that the 30-year-old could return for the final weeks of the season, although Thompson was re-evaluated by the Warriors over the All-Star break - and the team has confirmed that he will miss the entire campaign.

#3 Damian Lillard - Groin - Could return this week

Damian Lillard has missed Portland's past two games as they chase a playoff spot

Damian Lillard sat out of All-Star Weekend after injuring his right groin during Portland's defeat against the Grizzlies on Feb. 12. Lillard has subsequently missed Portland's games against the Pelicans and Pistons, although the 29-year-old could return later this week.

#4 Karl-Anthony Towns - Wrist - Out for at least two more weeks

Karl-Anthony Towns has struggled with injuries this season

Injuries have restricted Karl-Anthony Towns to just 35 appearances this season - and a wrist problem has kept him out of Minnesota's past three games. Towns is expected to play again this season, although the center will miss at least another two weeks before being re-evaluated.

#5 Clint Capela - Foot - Out until at least March

Clint Capela is yet to play for his new side

Clint Capela has yet to feature for the Hawks following his surprise trade from the Rockets earlier this month. Atlanta is eager for the 25-year-old to strike up a partnership with Trae Young, although Capela remains sidelined with a foot injury, and won't be re-evaluated until next month.

#6 Ben Simmons - Back - Will undergo tests on Monday

Ben Simmons' back injury is a concern for the Sixers

Ben Simmons left the court in the first quarter of Philadelphia's matchup against the Bucks on Saturday due to a back injury. The 23-year-old has been ruled out of Monday's game against Atlanta and will undergo further testing today.

#7 Jaren Jackson Jr. - Knee - Out for two weeks

Jaren Jackson Jr. has been a key part of Memphis' recent turnaround

Jaren Jackson Jr. injured his knee in the second quarter of Memphis' loss to the Lakers on Friday night. The 20-year-old has played a major role in the Grizzlies' recent surge, although the team announced over the weekend that Jackson will be sidelined for at least the next two weeks.

#8 Steph Curry - Hand - On track to return in early March

Steph Curry has played just four times this season

Steph Curry has not played for the Warriors since suffering a fractured hand back in late October. Nevertheless, Curry returned to full-contact training over the weekend - and the 31-year-old is believed to be on track to return in early March.

#9 Victor Oladipo - Back - Expected to return this week

Victor Oladipo has struggled since returning from injury

Victor Oladipo missed Indiana's heavy defeat to the Raptors on Sunday due to tightness in his lower back. Oladipo only recently returned from a serious knee injury, although Pacers coach Nate McMillan says that his latest injury is not too bad - and the 27-year-old is currently listed as day-today.