The latest on major injury updates for star NBA players like Joel Embiid, Chris Paul, Christian Wood.
JOEL EMBIID
Following Embiid’s successful knee surgery on February 6, there is growing optimism that the big man will return to the 76ers lineup before the end of the regular season, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne.
“There is an optimism in Philadelphia that Joel Embiid can return at some point during the regular season — at least close enough to the playoffs to get his rhythm heading into the playoffs,” Shelburne said on NBA Today. “But [the Sixers] don’t want to put any timeframe on it until he starts ramping up, but I’m told, he went to practice, he got there early to see how everything was in the morning. His enthusiasm is there.”
Embiid has been out since early February with the injury and without rushing it, no doubt the Sixers franchise would want him back on the court as soon as possible.
CHRIS PAUL
Warriors coach Steve Kerr has given a positive update on Paul’s status, who broke his hand during a game against the Pistons on January 5 and underwent surgery.
Kerr confirmed that the All-Star veteran will miss Golden State’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday, but won’t be out for much longer.
“He’s doing great,” Kerr told reporters on Thursday. “Just played 5-on-5, took part in our whole practice. He’s getting close. He won’t play tomorrow, but he’s feeling really good. He played a lot over the All-Star break, he told me, so the next step is for the training staff to get a feel for where he is conditioning-wise and just make sure everything is set for him to be out there.”
Since Paul’s absence, the Warriors have been trending in a meaningful direction, so his injection into lineup may help to propel the team even further.
CHRISTIAN WOOD
The Lakers will be without Wood for at least the next several games, after he suffered a knee injury.
“Christian Wood has been diagnosed with effusion in his left knee,” the Lakers’ status report read. “He will be re-evaluated by team doctors in approximately two weeks.”
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin doesn’t believe the injury will keep the veteran center out for too long though.
“There is optimism that Wood’s knee injury is minor and he will be able to return within the initial projected injury timeline, a source familiar with the situation told ESPN,” McMenamin said.
JULIUS RANDLE
Knicks forward Julius Randle hasn’t played since January 27 due to a dislocated shoulder.
In his first public comments since the injury, Randle said surgery hasn’t been ruled out, but he’s hoping to avoid it.
“I mean, we’ll see,” Randle told reporters, via SNY. “There’s still, like, necessary steps, and it’s a process to everything. I have to weigh out everything, ultimately, and decide from there. But right now I’m just focused on trying to avoid that, obviously, and get back on the court as soon as I can.”
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