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The Atlanta Hawks have changed former NBA All-Star Dejounte Murray’s status from available to questionable due to a non-Covid related illness. Murray’s injury could not have come at a more unfortunate time as the Hawks are trying to secure at least a play-in berth.
Atlanta will be playing the first leg of a back-to-back schedule tonight. If Murray’s status doesn’t change before this morning’s shootaround, he could be unavailable tonight versus the Detroit Pistons.
The Hawks’ second-best player could even be sidelined on Wednesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves if the illness lingers.
Atlanta holds a 35-36 record which puts them in eighth place in the Eastern Conference. However, they’re just three games ahead of the Washington Wizards (32-39), who are in the 11th spot with potential elimination from the postseason.
Murray, who is having a quietly solid season, has given the Atlanta Hawks superb production on both ends of the floor. He’s averaging 20.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.5 steals. Murray also remains one of the NBA’s most disruptive defensive players on the perimeter.
Meanwhile, Cleveland Cavaliers starting center Jarrett Allen has been upgraded to questionable. Allen is dealing with a right eye contusion and has missed the Cavs’ last four games.
The former NBA All-Star, however, was a full participant in Cleveland’s last practice, which would allow him to play tonight against the Brooklyn Nets. If he’s cleared to play, he will reportedly be without restrictions and won’t need to wear protective goggles.
Cleveland are 3-1 in their last four games without Allen. But they will need one of the NBA’s better rim protectors to patrol the paint along with Evan Mobley.
With just nine games remaining, the Cleveland Cavaliers (45-28) are sitting in fourth place in the Eastern Conference. They’re three games ahead of the New York Knicks (42-31) for a guaranteed home-court advantage in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
Jarrett Allen’s potential return will be a big boost to their most immediate goal.
Ben Simmon: Left knee/back soreness; Injured since: February 15, 2023
Three-time NBA All-Star Ben Simmons last played on February 15 against the Miami Heat. He has now missed 13 games as he is dealing with left knee and back soreness.
“Big Ben” has reportedly been given clearance to join on-court practices, but will remain out. Brooklyn hasn’t given a fixed time frame for his return, despite being on a three-game losing skid.
The Nets’ struggles have dropped them to a 39-32 record, which is sixth in the Eastern Conference. If they fail to halt their lethargic performances of late, they could easily fall into the play-in tournament. Brooklyn is just one game ahead of the Miami Heat (39-34) for the coveted sixth seed.
Ben Simmons looks more like a role player than an NBA All-Star talent, but he could still contribute particularly on the defensive end. The Nets have not shut down Simmons, but he could be unavailable until the regular season is over.
Danilo Gallinari: Left knee, ACL tear; Injured since the offseason
Danilo Gallinari has not seen action for the 2022-23 NBA season after tearing his ACL during last year’s EuroBasket. The Italian basketball star is determined to return just in time for the playoffs and could hit that goal.
Gallinari was expected to be a key cog for the Boston Celtics before the untimely and freak injury. He could still fulfill that role in probably limited minutes once the postseason starts.
Guess the Lakers players!
