NBA Injury Report: Giannis Antetokounmpo questionable, Damian Lillard questionable and updates on Tyler Herro and Malcolm Brogdon | January 14, 2023
The Milwaukee Bucks still have two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo on the injury report as questionable. He had the same status heading into their game against the Miami Heat last Thursday and eventually missed the match.
Antetokounmpo is in danger of missing a second game straight due to left knee soreness. The “Greek Freak” hasn’t missed two consecutive games since November 9 and 11 last year against the OKC Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs, respectively.
Update: Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) listed questionable for Saturday.
The six-time NBA All-Star’s status will be clearer after the Bucks’ morning shootaround before facing the Heat again on the road. Without Antetokounmpo in the lineup, Jrue Holiday picked up the scoring cudgels, leading Milwaukee with 24 points and 11 assists.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has a legitimate chance of winning his third NBA MVP trophy this season. He is averaging a career-high 31.0 points, 11.9 rebounds and 5.3 assists. If he misses tonight’s game, Bobby Portis could retain his spot in Mike Budenholzer’s starting unit.
Meanwhile, the Portland Trail Blazers have listed Damian Lillard as questionable again for tonight’s matchup against the Dallas Mavericks. Lillard had the same status before last Thursday’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers due to a left ankle sprain.
The six-time NBA All-Star ended up playing 40 minutes and finished with a season-high 50 points, two rebounds, three assists and a steal. Basketball fans will have a better idea of Lillard’s status after the Blazers’ morning shootaround.
Damian Lillard (ankle) questionable for Saturday.
Lillard has been dealing with ankle soreness over the past few games and appeared to wince in pain from time to time against the Cavaliers. If Portland want to be extra careful with the 2012-13 NBA Rookie of the Year winner, they may manage his load and sideline him.
“Dame” has already missed 11 games and could add to that tally tonight. If he isn’t available, Gary Payton II and Shaedon Sharpe could see their minutes go up.
Tyler Herro: Left Achilles soreness; injured since January 8, 2023
Tyler Herro slipped and appeared to limp off in the Miami Heat’s 102-101 loss to the Brooklyn Nets last Sunday. He has since missed two games straight due to left Achilles soreness.
The Heat have upgraded him to questionable after ruling him out in their previous two games, which could mean that he’ll be available tonight. Miami will face the Milwaukee Bucks again tonight after beating them the other night.
Tyler Herro (Achilles) questionable for Saturday.
The reigning NBA Sixth Man of the Year winner is averaging 21.2 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game. He’s putting up career-high numbers in those categories.
Max Strus could continue playing the starting shooting guard role if Herro misses the game tonight.
Malcolm Brogdon: Personal reasons
Malcolm Brogdon could be unavailable for the Boston Celtics’ game tonight against the Charlotte Hornets due to personal reasons. He missed six games this season for the Celtics due to a hamstring injury and illness.
Brogdon has been stellar for the reigning NBA Eastern Conference champs as their sixth-man extraordinaire. He is averaging 13.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game.
#NEBHInjuryReport for tomorrow vs. Charlotte:
Malcolm Brogdon (personal reasons) - QUESTIONABLE
Jaylen Brown (right adductor tightness) - OUT
Danilo Gallinari (left knee ACL repair) - OUT
More than the numbers, it’s his leadership, poise and playmaking that have helped the Celtics to the best record in the NBA. If he misses tonight’s game, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard could see more playing time.