Throughout the NBA Playoffs, Inside Injuries will provide important updates on all injuries. Some key players like Joel Embiid and Steph Curry are already sidelined. We will keep track of their progress as well as provide valuable insights on new injuries.
IRC = Injury Risk Category (Low, Elevated, High)
HPF = Health Performance Factor (Peak, Above Average, Below Average, Poor)
Updates
George Hill (back injury)– Hill’s back flared up after game 1, and he was experiencing stiffness at practice on 
Monday. He is questionable for Wednesday’s Game 2. Even if he does play, this is an injury to watch throughout the rest of the playoffs. Back ailments are tough to get over this quickly.
IRC: High
HPF: Below Average
Donovan Mitchell (bruised left foot)– Mitchell injured his left foot in Game 1, and called it a “stubbed toe.” An MRI showed a bruise, and his game 2 status remains uncertain. We are showing a two week Optimal Recovery Time.
IRC: Elevated
HPF: Below Average
Paul George (right hip contusion)– George was limited at practice on Monday and Tuesday, and his availability for Game 2 is up in the air. Coach Billy Donovan said the medical team will see how George does at Wednesday’s shootaround and whether he plays or not will likely be a game-time decision. This is apparently an aggravation from a previous injury that George originally sustained on March 13. Hip injuries can be very tough for basketball players to play through.
IRC: High
HPF: Poor
Steven Adams (hand injury)– Adams is “fine” after injuring his right hand on a dunk in Game 1. He should be good to go on Wednesday. If Adams was a shooter, we might be more concerned. But as a big man it shouldn’t have much of an impact on his game, hence the “Peak” Health Performance Factor.
IRC: Elevated
HPF: Peak
Jimmy Butler (right wrist sprain)– Butler has his right wrist wrapped for Game 1 and didn’t finish with great numbers, scoring 13 points on 4-11 shooting. His wrist could be a big reason why. His knee also remains a concern as he continues to work his way back following February surgery.
IRC: Elevated
HPF: Peak
John Wall (knee surgery)- John Wall returned to action in late March after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery. He still looks rusty at times and admits that he’s not 100% healthy. Right now, the problem is his explosiveness. He was still able to put up 23 points and 15 assists in Game 1 though, which is in line with our Above Average Health Performance Factor.
IRC: High
HPF: Above Average
Nikola Mirotic (left ankle roll)- Mirotic rolled his left ankle twice in Tuesday’s Game 2 win, but he continued to play through the injuries for 22 points and 13 rebounds. The first roll happened when he fell out of bounds and rolled his ankle stepping on someone’s foot, and the second came in the fourth quarter when he took a misstep. It’s likely the ankle swells overnight and his availability for Game 3 should be considered questionable.
IRC: High
HPF: Below Average
Jusuf Nukic (left leg contusion)- Nurkic went to the locker room with a left leg contusion in the second half of Game 2, and though he didn’t return to the game, he did return to the bench late in the third quarter. Contusions generally need week or so to heal, so this shouldn’t affect him for too long. His long injury history is the bigger concern here.
IRC: High
HPF: Below Average
Injured Players Entering the Playoffs
*As of April 18, 2018
Steph Curry– MCL sprain
IRC: High
HPF: Poor
Expected Return: middle of Round 2
Kawhi Leonard– quad injury
IRC: High
HPF: Above Average
Expected Return: unknown
Joel Embiid– orbital fracture
IRC: High
HPF: Poor
Expected Return: start of Round 2
Marcus Smart– thumb surgery
IRC: High
HPF: Poor
Expected Return: start of Round 2
Moe Harkless– arthroscopic knee surgery
IRC: High
HPF: Poor
Expected Return: late Round 1
**Harkless returned in Tuesday’s Game 2 loss to the Pelicans. He came off the bench with 12 points, five rebounds, and a block and did not appear limited in the 22 minutes he played. His minutes will likely continue to be limited through the series.
Players OUT for the NBA Playoffs
Gordon Hayward– ankle fracture
Kyrie Irving– knee surgery
DeMarcus Cousins– Achilles tear
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