2 min read • April 19, 2025
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Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers are heading into their first round playoff series with their star player nursing an injured ankle. Donovan Mitchell missed the last four games of the regular season with a sprained left ankle, but the week of rest plus those four games have helped tremendously. He’s been a full go at practice according to head coach Kenny Atkinson
Boston Celtics
Kristaps Porzingis represents the biggest injury concern for the Celtics. He missed 39 games this year after dealing with a torn medial retinaculum last season. Once he returned after missing the first 17 games of the season, he’s missed a few games throughout the season but has otherwise played very well when available. Game 1 update - Jayson Tatum took a hard fall late in Sunday's Game 1 against the Magic and appeared to hurt his right wrist, x-rays were taken and they came back negative, seeing as how he finished the game, there was little concern, long term, about the injury but the x-rays were a precaution
New York Knicks
Jalen Brunson sustained a very badly sprained ankle late in the season and missed 15 consecutive games, returning to his regular rotation once he made his recovery on April 6. With a week of rest during the Play-In, he appears to be on the mend and the Knicks have a clean injury report as they begin they playoffs.
Indiana Pacers
Indiana has been one of the healthiest teams in the East this season. Recent signee James Wiseman did tear an Achilles on the first day of the season, but since he never established a rotation, is not considered a major injury to their core rotation. Aside from James Wiseman, Aaron Nesmith has missed 37 games but since making his season debut on January 16th, has only missed a handful of games and been otherwise healthy and highly productive.
Milwaukee Bucks
Damian Lillard has been cleared to return from a diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis in his calf, but will miss Game 1 and is hopeful to return for Game 2 or 3. Giannis Antetokounmpo has been on the injured list at various points in the season with a shoulder injury but is off the report as the Bucks begin their postseason campaign.
Detroit Pistons
Ausar Thompson missed the first 18 games of the season as he recovered from blood clots discovered at the end of the previous regular season. Once he made his return he’s been mostly available and playing very well throughout the season. The Pistons are a very young team and thus were one of the healthiest teams throughout the season with no other rotation player missing more than 22 games.
Orlando Magic
Orlando’s injury status has been well chronicled on this website and coming into the playoffs, with the players that are available, the Magic are finally as healthy as they can be. They will of course be without Mo Wagner and Jalen Suggs so they are not at full strength and could be vulnerable in the first round as they take on the Celtics.
Miami Heat
Miami has been a remarkably healthy team this season with the most missed games coming from Nikola Jovic. Going into the first round vs Cleveland, they expect to be a very potent opponent for the Cavs, especially if Donovan Mitchell does have issues with the ankle sprain he’s been nursing.
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