Several key NBA player injuries were updated today.
Malcolm Brogdon To Miss At Least Two Weeks With Elbow Injury
Portland Trail Blazers combo guard Malcolm Brogdon will miss at least two weeks due to tendinitis in his right elbow.
While Brogdon has been out since Feb.2 due to a knee ailment and illness, the elbow/forearm issue has plagued him since last summer. Brogdon was slated to be headed to the Los Angeles Clippers as part of the Kristaps Porzingis trade, but the Clippers pulled out of the deal due to damage found in his elbow. He played through a partial tear in his right elbow during Boston’s playoff run last season but opted to heal without surgery.
Brogdon is having a solid season, averaging 15.7 points, 5.5 assists, and 3.8 rebounds. However, his injury leaves the Trail Blazers extremely shorthanded in the backcourt. Shaedon Sharpe (core muscle) may not play for the rest of the season. Anfernee Simons missed the Blazers’ (15-37) loss to New Orleans on Saturday while Scoot Henderson (foot) has been sidelined since Feb. 5.
As a result of the injuries, Ashton Hagans, on a 10-day contract, and Matisse Thybulle started in the backcourt against the Pelicans. Recently acquired Dalano Banton also saw extended time on Saturday.
Backup center Duop Reath is dealing with a knee injury as the Trail Blazers host Minnesota on Tuesday.
Kings’ Sasha Veznekov Out Multiple Weeks
Sacramento Kings rookie forward Sasha Vezenkov will miss several weeks after re-aggravating a right ankle injury that has plagued him the last few weeks. Vezenkov, who missed seven games due to the ankle injury, had recently returned to the team but re-injured himself in practice on Saturday.
Sacramento (30-22) fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder 127-113 earlier today, marking their third loss in the past four games. The Kings were also without Chris Duarte due to a right ankle sprain.
Sacramento sits in seventh place in the Western Conference. The Kings are one-half ahead of the Dallas Mavericks and one-half game behind Phoenix and New Orleans.
Jason Richardson and Terry Rozier Suffer Injuries In Loss To Celtics
The Miami Heat (28-25) lost two key rotational players in their 110-106 loss to the Boston Celtics Celtics today. Already without Jimmy Butler, who was dealing with a family death, they lost Josh Richardson and Terry Rozier to what could be severe injuries.
Richardson exited in the second quarter because of a right shoulder injury. Richardson slumped to the floor in pain after attempting to strip Jayson Tatum of the ball. Meanwhile, Rozier left midway through the third quarter with a right knee injury.
“More than anything, you just feel for those guys,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “They’re competitors, they want to be out there, they were trending in a much better direction.”
Depending on the MRIs, the Heat is facing the possibility of adjusting its rotation. Miami is already without Dru Smith, who underwent season-ending knee surgery in December. Thus, Alondes Williams and Tyler Herro are the Heat’s only remaining healthy guards.
Duncan Robinson and Jaime Jaquez Jr. can fill in at shooting guard, as can Butler. However, it is unknown how long Butler will miss as he has been granted personal leave.
Miami will play in Milwaukee on Tuesday and Philadelphia on Wednesday before the all-star break.
More must-reads: