NBA Injury Report: Trae Young questionable, Anthony Davis probable and more updates on Deandre Ayton and Ben Simmons (March 19, 2023)
Former NBA All-Star Trae Young has been ruled questionable by the Atlanta Hawks for their matchup tonight against the San Antonio Spurs. “Ice Trae” is dealing with a right knee contusion, which makes his status iffy.
Young must have acquired the in the Hawks' 127-119 win over the Golden State Warriors last Friday. The two-time All-Star played 32 minutes and finished with a team-high 25 points, 12 assists and six rebounds. His steal against reigning NBA Finals MVP Steph Curry sealed the win for the Hawks.
Atlanta is desperately trying to make at least the play-in tournament with just 12 games remaining in their schedule. The Hawks are 35-35 and sit in eighth place in the Eastern Conference, 3.5 games ahead of the 11th-seed Indiana Pacers.
Trae Young has been in impressive form over his last six games. He is averaging 30.3 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists. One of the NBA’s most dangerous shooters is hitting 53.3% from the field, including a blistering 45.0% from behind the arc.
If “Ice Trae” is held out, Aaron Holiday, Bogdan Bogdanovic and AJ Griffin could see increased playing time.
Meanwhile, the LA Lakers’ Anthony Davis continues to be a staple of their injury report. He is once again listed as probable for their game tonight against the Orlando Magic.
AD had one of the most embarrassing nights of his career last Friday when the Lakers lost 111-110 to the Dallas Mavericks. Davis lost Maxi Kleber on the last play of the game to allow the Mavericks to snatch the win away from Los Angeles.
The eight-time NBA All-Star also missed a free throw, which would have padded the Lakers’ lead to three points and prevented Kleber’s triple from becoming the game-winner.
Anthony Davis admitted it was his fault they lost the game and will be raring to atone for his miscues against the young Orlando Magic.
The LA Lakers have only sidelined the 2020 NBA champ during the second night of a back-to-back since returning from a right foot stress injury. He should be in uniform tonight unless there’s a new development in his right foot that will prevent him from playing.
Deandre Ayton: Right hip contusion; Injured since: March 16, 2023
Deandre Ayton has not missed a game since January 23. The Phoenix Suns have just ruled him out tonight for their game against the OKC Thunder. Ayton suffered a right hip contusion in Phoenix’s 116-113 win over the Orlando Magic last Thursday.
Losing Ayton for at least one game will hurt the Suns, who still don’t have a definite return date for former NBA MVP Kevin Durant.
Before their win against the Magic, the Suns were on a three-game losing streak. They will be in for a tough battle against the gritty Thunder.
Jock Landale and Bismack Biyombo are expected to see more minutes without the former No. 1 pick of the 2018 NBA Draft.
Ben Simmons: Left knee/back soreness; Injured since: February 24, 2023
Ben Simmons was cleared to engage in basketball activities last Thursday. However, he will miss his 13th straight game when the Brooklyn Nets host NBA MVP Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets.
Simmons has been sidelined due to left knee and back soreness.
The Nets don’t have a specific time frame for “Big Ben’s” return, but he should be back sooner rather than later.