NBA Injury Report: Fred VanVleet questionable, Tyrese Haliburton questionable and more updates on Jalen Brunson and RJ Barrett | December 29, 2022

Former NBA All-Star Fred VanVleet of the Toronto Raptors remains on the Raptors’ injury report heading into their game against the Memphis Grizzlies. The point guard played just 23 minutes in Toronto’s 124-113 loss to the LA Clippers the other night.

“FVV” has been diagnosed with lower back stiffness and could miss back-to-back games. In the game against the Clippers, he finished with just four points, two rebounds and seven assists. He was only 2-6 from the field and missed all three of his shots from deep.

During the game, Fred VanVleet spent most of his time on the bench, stretching his back. Head coach Nick Nurse eventually pulled him out for good in the third quarter when he started to struggle badly.

“Steady Freddy” didn’t practice on Wednesday, which puts his return in serious doubt tonight. Malachi Flynn could see his minutes go up if the one-time NBA champion remains sidelined.

Meanwhile, Tyrese Haliburton’s status for tonight is also questionable. He could miss the Indiana Pacers’ game versus the Cleveland Cavaliers. Haliburton is reportedly dealing with a bruised right knee.

The emerging NBA star looked great in the Pacers’ 129-114 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday. Haliburton finished the game with 23 points, seven assists and three rebounds.

The former Sacramento Kings player has missed only two games this season and has been making a strong case for an NBA All-Star selection.

Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle has a bevy of guards that can help offset Haliburton’s absence if he’s not available. Andrew Nembhard, Benedict Mathurin and Oshae Brissett are expected to log more minutes if their star NBA player is out.

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Jalen Brunson: Sore right hip, Injured since December 25, 2022

Jalen Brunson is questionable for the New York Knicks tonight.

Jalen Brunson reportedly injured his right hip in the New York Knicks' Christmas Day loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. Brunson, though, still played 35 minutes in that game and finished with 23 points and a team-high 11 assists.

He is questionable tonight versus the San Antonio Spurs.

Brunson didn’t see action in his first return to Dallas since moving on to New York on Tuesday. He was desperately cheering on his team as NBA superstar Luka Doncic dropped a historic 60-point triple-double.

The acquisition of Jalen Brunson has given the Knicks a solid scorer who can ease the pressure on Julius Randle and RJ Barrett. As New York’s best playmaker, he is averaging career-highs in scoring (20.2 PPG) and assists (6.6 APG).

Immanuel Quickley and Quentin Grimes should see more playing if Brunson is out.

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RJ Barrett: Lacerated right index finger: Injured since December 27, 2022

RJ Barrett will not play tonight for the New York Knicks.

RJ Barrett played just 96 seconds in the New York Knicks’ humiliating 126-121 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday. He hardly contributed to the Knicks’ losing effort due to the limited minutes.

He has been ruled out for at least a few games, starting with tonight’s encounter against the San Antonio Spurs. If he is sidelined for a week, he could return to action on January 4 versus the same opponents they are facing tonight.

Quickley, Grimes, Miles McBride and Derrick Rose will likely log more minutes if both RJ Barrett and Jalen Brunson are out.