2 min read • April 12, 2022
Posted in
Brooklyn Nets (#7 Seed) - Team Health Score 88.7
Ben Simmons, the disgruntled former 76er, will miss the play-in tournament as he is still dealing with the back issue that kept him out of action for Philadelphia. Simmons attempted to ramp up after he was traded to the Nets, but suffered a setback and has not returned to action. Seth Curry – who was also acquired in the trade – has dealt with a left ankle sprain for the final two months, but will play Tuesday against the Cavaliers. Veteran addition Goran Dragic will also play after clearing health and safety protocols.
Charlotte Hornets (#10 Seed) - Team Health Score 85.9
Gordon Hayward is the key loss for Charlotte. His left foot is in a cast and the ProBasketballDocs don’t expect him back at any point in the playoffs. Hayward missed 22 games after an early February left ankle sprain, then injured his foot in his first game back. P.J. Washington and Kelly Oubre Jr. played increased minutes during the stretch Hayward was out.
Atlanta Hawks (#9 Seed) - Team Health Score 83.4
Versatile power forward John Collins missed the last 16 games of the season with foot and finger injuries. On Sunday, he did some catch and shoot drills with his finger still in a splint and covered in a bandage. That is not the sign of a player ready to ramp and return soon. If the Hawks move on it may be a different story, but for now he remains sidelined. Young small forward De’Andre Hunter missed 26 games early this season after undergoing right wrist surgery. He also has a history of right knee troubles which required meniscus surgeries in February and June last year.
Cleveland Cavaliers (#8 Seed) - Team Health Score 74.5
The Cavs enter the play-in tournament with the lowest SIC health score in either conference. They have lost Colin Sexton, Ricky Rubio and Dean Wade to season-ending injuries and are still without key defensive big man Jarrett Allen. The All-Star center has not played since fracturing his left ring finger in early March.
Rookie of the Year favorite Evan Mobley did well to fill the void left by Allen, but missed five games with a left ankle sprain at the end of March. The 20-year-old did play well in the final two games of the regular season and should be full go for the play-in games. Yet another injury concern is the bone bruise in Darius Garland’s back. He missed 14 games with the issue this season, but hasn’t missed a game since late February.
Written by
