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Andrew Wiggins, an NBA All-Star starter for the Golden State Warriors last season, has been ruled out for a marquee matchup against the Boston Celtics. “Wiggs” is dealing with a right adductor strain.
Wiggins played against the Houston Rockets last Sunday, scoring a season-high 36 points. He made eight three-point shots, which were tied for his career best.
The defending NBA champs initially hoped Wiggins would recover just in time to host the Celtics in a rematch of last year’s finals. Eventually, the medical staff ruled him out for at least two games, keeping him in street clothes for the much-awaited battle.
The Warriors are fairly healthy, as only Andrew Iguodala and Wiggins are on the injury report. Draymond Green and Steph Curry, who both missed the game against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, are reportedly available tonight.
Wiggins served as Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum’s primary defender in the 2022 NBA Finals. His defense and rebounding, which stood out for the Warriors, will be missed tonight.
The Boston Celtics, the reigning NBA Eastern Conference champs, will also be shorthanded. They will not have Al Horford, who is under the league’s health and safety protocols.
Horford’s leadership, defense, rebounding, and outside shooting will be badly missed. He is hitting 53.7% of his shots, including a career-high 46.6% from long-range. Horford is a big reason why the Celtics lead the NBA in three-point shooting percentage, which is just slightly ahead of the Warriors.
“Big Al” has already been sidelined in the Celtics’ last two games and will miss his third consecutive contest. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla has inserted Blake Griffin into the starting lineup without Horford and could do so tonight.
Jamal Murray: Left knee contusion; Injured since December 8, 2022
The Denver Nuggets have listed Jamal Murray on their injury report due to a left knee contusion. He remains likely to play, though, as he is only probable to play tonight when they host the Utah Jazz.
Murray played a team-high 35 minutes in the Nuggets’ win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday. Denver’s starting point guard nailed a game-winning three-point shot with .9 seconds left to snap the Nuggets’ three-game losing streak.
Murray’s game is starting to come around after missing last season with an ACL injury. Over his last seven games, he averaged 21.1 points, 5.9 assists, and 3.7 assists. He has given the Nuggets another elite playmaker and scorer besides back-to-back NBA MVP Nikola Jokic.
Unless something drastic happens, Murray should be available tonight for the Nuggets.
Jimmy Butler: Right knee injury management
Jimmy Butler has played only 16 of the Miami Heat’s 26 games due to soreness in his right knee.
Miami has been extremely careful with Butler’s knee as they want him to be as fresh as possible after he could barely stand versus Boston. However, he has played the last three games and has only been listed as probable for tonight when they take on the San Antonio Spurs.
Butler is averaging 21.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.8 steals. He is still easily Miami’s best two-way player, particularly as he has career-best numbers in his shooting. “Jimmy Buckets” is hitting 51.4% of his shots, including 38.9% from deep.
Guess the Lakers players!
