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The 2019 NBA playoffs are now in full swing, and a number of matchups look as though they could need a Game 7 to determine who advances to the Conference Finals.
At this stage of the season, injuries to key players can heavily impact the outcome of a series, and a number of contending teams are currently without important players. So, ahead of another week of action, here are all the major injury status updates you need to know.
DeMarcus Cousins - Quadriceps - Could Return For Playoffs
DeMarcus Cousins suffered a torn quad during the Golden State Warriors' Game 2 loss in the first round against the LA Clippers. Whilst Cousins didn't need surgery to repair his quad, it was widely reported that his season with the Warriors had come to an end.
However, when speaking about Golden State's Game 3 loss to the Rockets, head coach Steve Kerr revealed the surprising news that Cousins could still play again this season:
It's a possibility he (Damian Jones) could be back, and same with DeMarcus (Cousins), he's come a pretty long way so we'll just wait and see
It still seems unlikely that the 29-year-old will play at any point in the next fortnight, however, if the Warriors reach the NBA Finals, a Cousins return looks increasingly likely.
OG Anunoby - Abdomen - Out Indefinitely
After undergoing an emergency appendectomy three weeks ago, OG Anunoby has yet to play any part in the postseason. The team has yet to set a return date for Anunoby, and ESPN's Tim Bontemps is reporting that Anunoby remains a major doubt for the playoffs:
He remains out indefinitely after undergoing an emergency appendectomy two weeks ago.
Pau Gasol - Left Ankle Injury - No Timetable
Since joining the team earlier this year, a left ankle injury has restricted Pau Gasol to just a handful of appearances for the Bucks. Gasol has missed the last two months with the injury, and the Journal Sentinel is reporting that the Bucks are unsure on whether the Spaniard will return this season:
He had to totally stop basketball activities and wear a walking boot for a few weeks, but Gasol is now back to doing limited on-court work. He expects to ramp things up in the next week, but isn’t sure exactly when he’ll be cleared for action.
Marcus Smart - Oblique Injury - Should Return This Week
A partially torn oblique has kept Marcus Smart out for the past month, although the 25-year-old is expected to return this week -- and he has been listed as questionable for the Celtics' Game 4 clash with the Bucks.
Andre Roberson - Kneecap - Could Return For Summer Training Camp
Andre Roberson missed the entire 18/19 season through a serious knee injury. The 27-year-old has recently stepped up his recovery, and Roberson last week revealed that he was hoping to recover in time to make OKC's upcoming summer training camp. Unless he suffers another setback, he should be fit for the start of the 19/20 season.
Daniel House Jr. - Foot Injury - Should Return Later This Week
Danuel House Jr. was unavailable to play in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Warriors due to a foot injury, and head coach Mark D'Antoni subsequently described House's condition as 'messed up'. Nevertheless, the 25-year-old's injury is not thought to be too serious, and he is expected to return to the Rockets set-up for either Game 4 or 5.
