4 Teams to Fade for the NBA In-Season Tournament Based on Injury

2 min read • November 03, 2023

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NBA
4 Teams to Fade for the NBA In-Season Tournament Based on Injury

As the NBA prepares for its first-ever In-Season Tournament, anticipation and curiosity are escalating among players, coaches, and fans, marking the dawn of a new chapter in professional basketball.

Group Play for the In-Season tournament is set to commence on Friday, with eight teams moving on to the Knockout Round. Today's focus is on discussing four teams anticipated to face challenges in the tournament due to injury concerns.

Brooklyn Nets

Cam Johnson - SIC score 17

Nets forward Cam Johnson has been sidelined by a calf injury, causing his absence in the team's recent games. The calf contusion is anticipated to extend his time off the court for at least an additional week.

Spencer Dinwiddie

Dinwiddie sustained an ankle injury during the Nets' game against the Hornets. His absence in the team's previous game was due to this injury, and it remains uncertain whether he will participate in the In-Season Tournament.

Nic Claxton - SIC score 42

Nets center Nic Claxton will not be available against the Chicago Bulls on Friday due to an ankle injury acquired in late Oct. It is improbable that he will return to play within the following week, potentially affecting his participation in the tournament.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Darius Garland - Sic score 79

Garland has been contending with a hamstring issue, a concern for a dynamic guard like himself. He has been sidelined since late October, and although the team labeled him as "questionable," indicating uncertainty about his participation, Garland has previously been ruled out of games. The shift in his injury designation reflects an improvement, demonstrating progress in his situation.

Jarrett Allen - SIC score 74

Center Jarrett Allen has been upgraded to "questionable" for Friday night, marking an improvement from earlier games where he was swiftly ruled out. Allen is steadily rehabilitating from a left ankle bone bruise sustained during training camp and is working to regain his game readiness. His involvement with the Cleveland Charge, the Cavaliers' G-League affiliate, suggests a promising sign that the starting center's return to the court may be imminent.

Ricky Rubio 

Cavaliers' backup point guard Ricky Rubio took a leave from the team for mental health reasons during training camp. The Cavs' President of Basketball Operations, Koby Altman, mentioned that they are allowing Rubio the necessary time to focus on his personal well-being.

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Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies are already without star guard Ja Morant who will miss the first 25 games while on suspension, and are also struggling to play through a lack of depth at the center position.

Veteran big Steven Adams is out for the season after undergoing surgery on a knee PCL that lingered from late last season.

Bouncy center Brandon Clarke is also out for the season while recovering from a torn Achilles tendon he suffered in March last season.

Without those two, Memphis has ranked 24th in rebounding and have lost their first 5 games of the season while averaging 118 points allowed per game.

Journeyman guard Derrick Rose has shown spurts of his younger self, but at 35 with a lengthy knee injury history he can’t be relied upon for bench depth.

Rose was recently ruled out for a week with knee soreness and will be reevaluated in mid-November.

Portland Trail Blazers

Scoot Henderson - SIC score 31

By video, suffered a right high ankle sprain in a collision with Killian Hayes - exited game on 11/1 and did not return - likely to miss 2-3 weeks

Anfernee Simons - SIC score 5

Out until early January with a torn UCL he suffered in late October - underwent surgery in late October and will miss at least 6 weeks