This edition of NBA rumors and news looks at Josh Hart‘s inclusion on the injury report and Nikola Jokic‘s battle with a few nixes and bruises. Plus, more.
NBA Rumors: Josh Hart, Cade Cunningham, Nikola Jokic, Grayson Allen
Josh Hart Questionable For Wednesday
Instead of getting healthier as New York fans wanted for the Knicks, their injury report keeps growing. Josh Hart is questionable due to a right wrist sprain for Thursday’s crucial game against the Sacramento Kings.
Knicks injury list growing. Hart questionable for tomorrow pic.twitter.com/4RwjMcRL31
— Steve Popper (@StevePopper) April 3, 2024
Stefon Bondy of the New York Post said the wrist gave Hart issues before New York’s 109-99 loss in Miami as he was icing the wrist during the morning shootaround.
Josh Hart is now questionable with a right wrist sprain. It was something that was bothering him even before the game last night (he was icing it at the morning shootaround).
— Stefan Bondy (@SbondyNBA) April 3, 2024
The tidbit from Bondy about Hart’s injury may explain why the 29-year-old wing attempted only three shots in 45 minutes against the Heat. The three shots tied his season low in a game where he played more than 10 minutes and registered just a 5.3% usage rate.
While Hart is not an offensive juggernaut, he averaged 12.3 shot attempts in February and 10.3 in March. More importantly, with OG Anunoby and Julius Randle remaining sidelined, Hart needs to be a threat on the offensive end. Since the all-star break, Hart has posted a usage rate of 14.5%.
Julius Randle, OG Anunoby, and Mitchell Robinson Status
According to SNY.tv’s Ian Begley, there is no update on Anunoby and Randle’s status. However, Begley spoke to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst about the two injuries on his The Putback podcast.
“Even if he’s able to play, Windy said about Randle’s status. “You’re going to be worried about re-injury.”
“Even if he’s able to play, you’re going to be worried about re-injury.” @WindhorstESPN talks uncertainty over Randle injury, what makes Anunoby’s elbow ailment ‘strange’ & much more on The Putback w/fellow guest @JCMacriNBA: https://t.co/EaW7JsKcOP
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) April 3, 2024
Meanwhile, Mitchell Robinson is on the report due to injury management. The 26-year-old played 10 minutes against the Heat and 42 minutes over the last three contests since his return. With the Knicks playing back-t0-backs (facing Chicago on Friday), Robinson is expected to miss one of the games.
New York (44-31) has lost three straight games. Still, the Knicks are in the thick of the battle to remain out of the Eastern Conference play-in tournament. The Knicks are fifth in the conference, but they have identical records with Orlando and 1.5 games ahead of sixth-place Indiana.
Cade Cunningham Late Scratch
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham was a late injury scratch in their 121-113 loss to the Atlanta Hawks tonight. Omari Sankofa of the Detroit Free Press said that Cunningham was given the green light to play 40 minutes before the game but was ruled out due to injury maintenance 20 minutes later.
Cade has been downgraded to OUT at the last minute. The team announced him as a starter 40 minutes ago. Has happened a few times now
— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) April 3, 2024
Sankofa added this is not the first time this has occurred this season. Cunningham has now missed four of the Pistons last nine games. The Pistons are 4-10 in the 14 games without their 22-year-old star.
Cunningham’s next chance to play will be Friday when Detroit travels to Memphis.
Marvin Bagley’s Season Likely Over
Washington Wizards center Marvin Bagley III received good news about his purported right knee injury. According to The Athletic’s Josh Robbins, Bagley has been diagnosed with a sprain and will not need surgery.
Very good news for the Wizards: Marvin Bagley III will NOT need surgery on his injured right knee, a Wizards official said. Bagley's injury is a sprain, and interim coach Brian Keefe said Bagley's status will be reevaluated "week to week."
— Josh Robbins (@JoshuaBRobbins) April 3, 2024
Robbins added that Wizards interim coach Brian Keefe said Bagley will be reevaluated “week-to-week.” With only 10 days left in the regular season, the 25-year-old’s big men season is essentially over.
Bagley has been outstanding since coming over from Detroit. In 24 games, including 15 starts, with the Wizards, Bagley averaged 13.3 points and 8.1 rebounds while shooting 58.1% from the field and 47.1% from the 3-point line.
Nikola Jokic Battling Ailments But Expected to Play Through
The Denver Nuggets are once again challenging for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, and a big reason is their relative health. Seven of the Nuggets top eight players have played in at least 69 games, including Reggie Jackson and Christian Baun who have appeared in all 76 games.
However, like New York’s, Denver’s injury report is growing. The Nuggets have four players dealing with injuries, per Law Murray of the Athletic.
Nuggets will probably have Nikola Jokic (hip/wrist) and Aaron Gordon (foot), while listing Jamal Murray as questionable (right knee)
Jamal Murray hasn’t played since March 21.
Zeke Nnaji is doubtful (adductor).
If Jamal/Nnaji out, opens minutes up for Reggie Jackson and DJ
— Law Murray 🐦🔥 (@LawMurrayTheNU) April 4, 2024
Nikola Jokic has been dealing with some pain in his right wrist and left hip as of late. However, Jokic told Bennett Durando of the Denver Post that he isn’t looking to take any time off. Jokic, looking to lock down his third MVP award in the past four years, has missed three games this season.
“My goal is to play every game, and that’s my mindset. So if something happens, I will let you guys know.”
Like Jokic, Aaron Gordon is lprobable for Thursday’s game against Los Angeles Clippers. Gordon has been playing through his foot injury the past four games without an issue. Gordon has missed seven games this season.
However, Jamal Murray and Zeke Nnaji‘s availability is very much in question. This is the seventh straight game Murray has been listed as questionable, and he hasn’t played since March 21. Meanwhile, Nnaji last played on March 17, but he has been upgraded to doubtful for tomorrow.
Other News:
Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen was ruled out of tonight’s game against Cleveland due to a hip injury two hours before tipoff. Allen was initially considered questionable for the games, according to PHNX Sports Gerald Bourget.
Bouget said Suns head coach Frank Vogel told him that Allen has been dealing with the hip ailment throughout his career. Vogels added that it flares up occasionally, which is what happened Monday night against New Orleans. Allen is expected to miss just one game with Phoenix having tomorrow off before they host Minnesota on Friday.
Frank Vogel said Grayson Allen's hip is something that he's managed throughout his career. It flares up and was enflamed after the Pelicans game, but he's day-to-day and they're hoping he only misses 1 game
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) April 4, 2024
Royce O’Neale started in place of Allen at small forward against the Cavaliers.
Bourget also said that Vogel provided an update on Damion Lee, who has yet to play this season due to knee surgery. However, the Suns are hopeful that the 31-year-old can return prior to the conclusion of the season.
Frank Vogel also said Damion Lee has done some light shooting, but today he got some movement stuff in and got a sweat going. The Suns don't expect to have him back before the end of the regular season, but are hopeful he'll return at some point in the playoffs
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) April 4, 2024
Washington Wizards forward Deni Avdija was unable to finish tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers due to a migraine, per Washington Posts Ava Williams.
Deni Avdija’s night is done late in the third quarter. The Wizards say he won’t return vs. the Lakers due to a migraine — he took an elbow from LeBron James to the neck/head area earlier.
— Ava Wallace (@avarwallace) April 4, 2024
Avdija took a LeBron James‘ elbow to the head late in the third quarter. Avdija, who finished the game with seven points in 22 minutes, remained in the game before eventually being ruled out. The Wizards next game isn’t until Friday, so will have to wait on his status going forward.
Deni Avdija took this elbow to the head from LeBron James, which was ruled a flagrant foul, shook it off and stayed in the game. pic.twitter.com/1cXwxPLaRX
— Chase Hughes (@chasedcsports) April 4, 2024
