Here is the latest NBA news and rumors regarding several injury situations.
NBA Rumors: Tyrese Maxey, Gabe Vincent, Josh Richardson and Jalen Brunson Updates
Tyrese Maxey Ruled Out Against Brooklyn
Philadelphia 76ers point guard Tyrese Maxey sat out Tuesday’s 112-107 loss to the Brooklyn Nets earlier today due to a mild concussion.
Maxey hit his head against the knee of Dallas Mavericks forward Derrick Jones Jr. in the third quarter of Sunday’s win and had to leave the court, though he eventually returned.
But coach Nick Nurse told reporters that doctors noticed Maxey demonstrating concussion-like symptoms on Tuesday, thus causing him to miss the game.
“I think that’s what they said, it was a delayed mild concussion. I’m not a doctor, but that’s what they told me. It’s a delayed mild concussion. I don’t know, they really didn’t see the symptoms right away and then he wakes up the next day and they’re there.”
“We certainly talked to the league and he has to clear the, I think it’s a four- or five-step protocol process, so I would assume that he’s gonna be out tomorrow,” Nurse added. “We’re not rushing it. This kind of stuff you can’t rush. You don’t rush, and he’s gotta meet all the steps to get to return to play.”
Last night marked the sixth game that Maxey has missed this season. The 76ers are 0-6 this season without their star guard. The Sixers were also without Joel Embiid, De’Anthony Melton and Robert Covington.
In some positive news, KJ Martin was available against the Nets after being listed as questionable because of an ankle injury. Martin totaled six points and three rebounds in 11 minutes off the bench against the Nets.
As Nurse suggested, Maxey will likely not play when the 76ers return home against Memphis. In all reality, his next chance to suit up will be at home against New Orleans.
Cam Payne started alongside Kyle Lowry against the Nets in Maxey’s place. In 23 minutes, Payne contributed 15 points on 5 of 10 shooting from the field, including 3 of 7 from deep.
It was Payne’s second start with the 76ers and his 10th appearance overall. He has totaled 35 points, six rebounds, seven assists, one block, and three steals in his two starts. Overall, Payne scored in double-figures in half of his appearances with the Sixers.
With the loss to the Nets, the 76ers dropped to seventh place in the Eastern Conference. The Sixers, who are tied with the Miami at 35-26 on the season, are a half-game behind fourth-place Orlando.
Gabe Vincent Slated To Return To Lakers By End Of Month
Los Angeles Lakers guard Gabe Vincent is expected make his return to the court later this month, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania on FanDuel’s Run It Back program.
"Gabe Vincent is doing more and more on the court…Barring any setbacks, his hope is still mid to late March to get back in the lineup for the Lakers."@ShamsCharania updates on Gabe Vincent's injury.
📺: https://t.co/oxMs3CAEGu pic.twitter.com/RZpsmywEXc
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) March 5, 2024
“Gabe Vincent is doing more and more on the court. … Barring any setbacks, his hope is still mid to late March to get back in the lineup for the Lakers. (With) Gabe, you’d want to kind of change the tempo, change the pace. That’s why they signed him from Miami.”
Will Vincent have a regular role when he returns to the Lakers?
That is the big question and it is unlikely. Los Angeles (34-29) is playing its best bsketball at the most important time of the regular season and battling to just get out of the play-in tournament. Plus, D’Angelo Russell has solidified himself as the Lakers third most important player and Spencer Dinwiddie has taken over the team’s sixth man role.
Cam Reddish and Taurean Prince will presumably also be ahead of Vincent.
Vincent has only appeared in five games and underwent left knee surgery in late Decemember. He averages 5.4 points and 3.0 assists while shooting .375/.118/.500.
Josh Richardson To Undergo Surgery
Miami Heat wing Josh Richardson‘s season is likely over as he is slated to undergo shoulder surgery on Wednesday, according to Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press.
Josh Richardson will have shoulder surgery tomorrow and is expected to miss the rest of the season.
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) March 6, 2024
Reynolds added that “Richardson tried the rehab route for the past couple of weeks hoping to get through the season, knowing that surgery was an inevitability either way. Typically, shoulder surgeries require a few months of recovery, which means he should be ready for camp in this fall.”
Richardson has been out since suffering the injury since Feb. 11 when suffered a dislocated right shoulder as he pursued a loose ball early in the second quarter against Boston.
Miami’s backcourt has gone through a huge face lift this season with Tyler Herro in and out of the lineup this season. Herro has missed five straight games due to a knee injury and has appeared in only 36 games this season.
Miami traded for Terry Rozier at the end of January. Then to solidify its depth the Heat added Delon Wright at the end of last month and Patty Mills will join the team once he clears waivers, per Reynolds.
Can confirm Patty Mills will sign with the Miami Heat for the remainder of the season. @wojespn first.
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) March 5, 2024
Mills was waived by the Atlanta Hawks last Thursday. Mills has seen his production fall off the past two years. He averaged 2.7 points while shooting .373/.382/.500 in 10.7 minutes over 19 appearances for the Hawks.
While Mills isn’t capable of putting up the numbers he has in the past consistently, the 35-year-old is still a capable 3-point shooter and ball-handler.
According to Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald, injured guard Dru Smith will be waived to make room on the 15-man roster for Mills.
Patty Mills will take Dru Smith roster spot, source confirms. So Rozier, Delon Wright and Mills bolster Heat at guard
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) March 5, 2024
Jalen Brunson Likely To Play Friday?
While the shorthanded New York Knicks fell to the Atlanta Hawks 115-100 on Tuesday night, they did receive some good news. Prior to the game. Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau announced announced that star point guard Jalen Brunson’s MRI on his left knee came back clean.
Thibodeau said Brunson had an MRI which came back clean. Feeling better than Sunday.
— Steve Popper (@StevePopper) March 5, 2024
Brunson didn’t play versus the Hawks due to knee contusion. He suffered the injury after colliding with teammate Isaiah Hartenstein in the opening minute of New York’s win over Cleveland on Sunday.
The news should mean that Brunson will be good to go when New York hosts the Orlando Magic on Friday. However, he will likely be listed as questionable until further updates.
With the loss to the Hawks, the Knicks fell to the fifth spot in the Eastern Conference at 36-26. The Knicks own the same record as the Magic, but due to tie-brakers they are below the Magic in the seedings. The loss was the Knicks’ fifth in six games without Brunson this year and their ninth in the past 13 contests.
