COVID, injuries having a major effect on races
Durant has big day as Nets thump Wolves
As teams gear up for the stretch run of the NBA regular season, it’s injuries to key players — not just their unavailability due to COVID-19 — that is having the biggest effect on the playoff race in both conferences.
“With COVID and with the way the season has gone, everybody’s missing games,” 76ers center Joel Embiid said. “COVID has affected the whole league. … It’s hard to kind of figure out when the team is at their best.”
Lately, it’s been injuries and not the virus that has dictated how the season has gone.
That starts with the defending champion Lakers, who continue to be without team cornerstones LeBron James and Anthony Davis with no clear idea of when they will return.
Davis was averaging 22.5 points and 8.4 rebounds through 23 games when he strained his right calf Feb. 14 against Denver. He hasn’t played since, a span of 25 games entering Monday. He is expected to get re-evaluated this week.
James’ sprained right ankle has kept him sidelined since March 21 and he could be three more weeks from returning.
Another blow was dealt to Western Conference contender Denver, which learned Tuesday that versatile point guard Jamal Murray would be out indefinitely with a torn ACL in his left knee.
The story is just as fascinating in the topsy-turvy and increasingly tightening East, where almost every team in the playoff mix has players currently on — or just getting off — the injury report.
Philadelphia and Brooklyn began the week tied at atop the conference at 36-17, with Milwaukee (33-20) three games back. But things could certainly change in a hurry.
Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo missed his fifth straight game Sunday with a sore left knee and currently has no timetable for return.
The Nets seemed to be getting back to full strength earlier this month when Kevin Durant returned to action after a 23-game absence due to a strained left hamstring. Then James Harden went down with a right hamstring April. 5.
Tuesday night
NETS 127, TIMBERWOLVES 97: In Minneapolis, Kevin Durant scored 31 points in his most productive performance in 2 1/2 months as Brooklyn beat Minnesota on Tuesday afternoon.
CLIPPERS 126, PACERS 115: In Indianapolis, Paul George scored 36 points as LA beat Indiana.
The Clippers have won six straight and 12 of 14 overall.
HAWKS 107, RAPTORS 103: In Tampa, Fla., Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 23 points as Atlanta beat Toronto. Pascal Siakam led the Raptors with 30 points.
LAKERS 101, HORNETS 93: In Charlotte, N.C., Kyle Kuzma scored 24 points as LA beat Charlotte.
Dennis Schroder added 19 points and Andre Drummond chipped in with 12 rebounds for the Lakers.
JAZZ 106, THUNDER 96: In Salt Lake City, Bojan Bogdanovic scored 23 points and Donovan Mitchell added 22 as Utah beat OKC.
CELTICS 116, TRAIL BLAZERS 115: In Portland, Ore., Jayson Tatum scored 32 points, including a key 3-pointer in the final moments, as Boston beat Portland.
SUNS 106, HEAT 86: In Phoenix, Deandre Ayton had 19 points and 13 rebounds as Phoenix beat Miami.