Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young is one of several star players on Friday’s NBA injury report. There are 13 games on tomorrow’s NBA docket.
NBA Rumors: Trae Young, Kristaps Porzingis, and Jalen Duren Availability for Friday, Plus More
Young is a new addition to the injury report as he picked up an illness between the Hawks’ 114-113 loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday and earlier today. The 25-year-old all-star has posted 30 points and nine assists in the last three games, including two double-doubles. He is officially listed as questionable for Friday’s game versus Philadelphia.
The Hawks are already without three players for the contest: Kobe Bufkin, Mouhamed Guye, and Jalen Johnson.
Meanwhile, the 76ers do not have any injury concerns.
Jalen Duren Dealing With Ankle Injury
Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren picked up an ankle injury late in their 116-102 setback to Memphis last night. After initially listed as questionable on Friday’s report, Duren is expected to miss the next two weeks with a sprained ankle, per the Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren is expected to miss two weeks with a sprained left ankle, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Tough blow for the 2-19 Pistons, who have lost 18 in row. Duren is averaging 12.6 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 1.4 BPG but has had injuries to both ankles this year.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 7, 2023
While Duren’s injury is a big blow to a Pistons (2-19) squad on pace to set an NBA record for fewest wins, Joe Harris may be available against Orlando. Harris, who has been sidelined since Nov. 6 due to a shoulder injury, has been upgraded to questionable for tomorrow.
With Duren out, Isaiah Stewart, Marvin Bagley III, and James Wiseman are expected to see more time.
Other Tidbits
Miami Heat point guard R.J. Hampton, on a two-way contract, has been cleared and isn’t on the team’s injury report. Hampton has appeared in just one game this year, as he has sat out the previous three seasons due to a knee injury. However, Hampton may earn some minutes with Dru Smith and Tyler Herro remaining out.
“The things we like about R.J. are his speed, his quickness, his explosiveness, and he’s very hungry to learn and to develop,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel. “He was highly touted obviously coming out of high school. He’s had some really good moments early on in his career, and then, sometimes, it requires the right timing, the right fit, the right place.
“So we want to commit to the player development with him and see where it goes. But I really commend his work ethic. It was a shame he got hurt, because he was really starting to make some strides.”
Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs is questionable for tomorrow’s game against the Pistons due to an ankle injury. Suggs suffered the injury midway through the second quarter when he jumped up to block a shot from Cleveland Cavaliers’ guard Donovan Mitchell and landed awkwardly. Suggs instantly grabbed his ankle and was in visible pain under the Magic’s basket.
The #Magic are listing Jalen Suggs (right ankle strain) as Questionable for Friday's game vs. Detroit.
Jonathan Isaac (sprained right ankle) is Questionable as well.
Markelle Fultz (left knee tendinitis) is OUT for his 14th straight game. pic.twitter.com/Xi7W9dUVg6
— Jason Beede (@therealBeede) December 7, 2023
Jonathan Isaac, who sat out the game versus the Cavaliers, is also questionable on Friday.
After a one-game absence, Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams could return to action against the Toronto Raptors. On Wednesday, Williams sat out his first season game in the Hornets’ 110-100 setback to the Chicago Bulls.
Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis has the best chance of returning tomorrow after nearly two weeks of absence. Porzingis, who has been sidelined since Nov. 25 with a calf injury, is considered probable on the C’s injury report for their game against the Knicks. The 7-3 big man participated in a five-on-five scrimmage earlier today.
“Calf is good,” Porzingis said after the scrimmage. I got a good session in, up and down, went through the full practice, and feeling good.”
“I believe so. I believe so,” the former all-star added when asked if he was ready to play. “I haven’t talked to the medical staff yet, but I think (that) after what I did today, (I) should be good to go.”
