Tag: Injury Update

Thunder recalls Justin Patton from OKC Blue

Patton is averaging 10.4 points and 8.1 rebounds in 21 games for the Blue this season. He’s appeared in two games for the Thunder this year.

Justin Patton has been recalled to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Per Maddie Lee of The Oklahoman, the team announced the move on Sunday evening, following the news that Nerlens Noel will miss Monday’s game against Philadelphia with a sprained left ankle.

Noel was injured during the third quarter of Saturday’s win over the Cleveland Cavaliers when he stepped on the left foot of Tristan Thompson and rolled his ankle. He left the game and did not return.

Patton has spent the majority of the season with the Thunder’s NBA G-League affiliate, the OKC Blue.

He’s appeared in 21 games for the Blue with 20 starts. He’s averaging 10.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks in 27.2 minutes per game.

Patton’s status with the organization has been a question mark as of late. Patton’s name was mentioned in conjunction with trade rumors last week, as John Hollinger of The Athletic reported that the Thunder were “likely to trade” Patton within the coming week.

Patton has played in two games for the Thunder this season, scoring two points and pulling down two rebounds in nine total minutes.

Nerlens Noel status update: out Monday at Philadelphia

OKC listed Noel as out Monday after he rolled his ankle during the third quarter of the Thunder’s 121-106 win over the Cavs on Saturday.

Billy Donovan said on Saturday night that the team would likely know more about the extent of Nerlens Noel’s ankle injury on Sunday.

They do, but it wasn’t the news Oklahoma City’s head coach was hoping for.

Per The Oklahoman, Noel has officially been listed as out for the Thunder’s game against Philadelphia on Monday with a left ankle sprain.

The injury occurred during the third quarter of Oklahoma City’s 121-106 win over Philadelphia on Saturday night.

Noel was chasing a loose ball near the baseline when it appeared that he stepped on Tristan Thompson’s left foot. His ankle rolled over at an awkward angle, and Noel collapsed in a heap underneath the basket.

He left the game with 4:39 remaining in the third quarter and did not return.

Over his last 10 games, Noel has been averaging 8.2 points with 1.4 blocks and 1.3 steals in 18.8 minutes per game.

Noel began his career with the 76ers after his right were traded by the Pelicans, who drafted him with the sixth overall pick in 2013.

He played in Philadelphia for two and a half seasons before being traded the Mavericks.

Oklahoma City and the 76ers tip-off in Philadelphia at 6 p.m. CT on Monday night.

Three takeaway’s from OKC’s 121-106 win over Cleveland

The Thunder ran their winning streak to five games on Saturday night. Oklahoma City has now won nine of their last 10.

Oklahoma City went into Cleveland and crushed the Cavs, 121-106, on Saturday night.

The Thunder remains perfect in the new year, having carried over their winning streak from December. OKC has won five in a row, and nine of their last 10.

Here are three takeaways from Oklahoma City’s win over the Cavaliers:

OKC gets balanced scoring from starters and bench

The Thunder had six players in double-digits on Saturday night. Dennis Schroder came off the bench to lead the way with 22, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Danilo Gallinari weren’t far behind, with 20 and 19, respectively.

It was Schroder’s 17th game this season in which he’s come off the bench to score 20 or more points. That’s the best in the NBA this season, as Schroder continues to make a strong case for Sixth Man of the Year.

Kevin Love looks like he’s over it

Kevin Love’s frustration with the Cavaliers was essentially summed up in one play Saturday night.

Late in the first half, Love was in the post and being guarded by Chris Paul. Love has just a slight height advantage in that matchup.

Love was calling for the ball, but Collin Sexton kept dribbling near midcourt. Finally, Love came to the top of the key, got the ball, and then fired a low pass over to Cedi Osman, who threw up an off the mark three.

This isn’t the first instance of visible frustration on the part of Love. He was fined following an outburst on the bench during Cleveland’s loss to the Raptors on Thursday.

Love has been rumored to be on the move, however recent reports have indicated that the Phoenix Suns, thought to be interested in adding Love, might actually want to bring in Danilo Gallinari instead.

Nerlens Noel injured, no update on his status

Nerlens Noel went down in a heap under the basket during the third quarter. When chasing a ball on its way out of bounds, he stepped on the left foot of Tristan Thompson and suffered a nasty looked rolled ankle.

Noel left the game and did not return.

Afterward, Billy Donovan told reporters he did not know the extent of Noel’s injury and would hopefully have an update on Sunday.

Billy Donovan ‘does not know severity’ of Noel’s ankle injury

Nerlens Noel rolled his ankle during the third quarter of OKC’s win over the Cavs on Saturday. He left the game and did not return.

It finally felt like the Thunder were getting healthy after a series of injuries over the last six weeks.

Dennis Schroder and Danilo Gallinari are both back and playing well after missing time due to ankle soreness.

Hamidou Diallo returned this week after sitting out 17 games with a hyperextended right elbow, and at times on Saturday looked like he never missed any time at all (like when he threw down a particularly vicious dunk in the fourth quarter of OKC’s win over Cleveland).

But the Thunder might be down a center after Nerlens Noel suffered a nasty-looking ankle roll on Saturday night.

Billy Donovan told reporters after the game that he doesn’t know the extent of the injury.

“Do not know the severity of it at all. Generally with those things you really don’t find out till the next morning to see if there’s any swelling.”

The injury occurred during the third quarter when Noel gave chase to a loose ball that was headed out of bounds. When he tried to stop himself, he stepped on the left foot of Tristan Thompson. His left ankle buckled underneath him and Noel collapsed underneath the basket.

He left the game and did not return.

As noted by Erik Horne of The Athletic, Noel’s loss could have significant implications because of how well he’s been playing during the Thunder’s winning streak.

Over the last ten games, Noel has been averaging 8.2 points with 1.4 blocks and 1.3 steals in 18.8 minutes per game.

Injury Update: Steph Curry cleared to travel with Warriors on road

Steve Kerr told reporters that Warriors injured All-Star, Stephen Curry will be able to travel with the team on upcoming road trips.

After stacking one of the most consistent five-year runs in NBA history, 2019-20 is quite the change for the Golden State Warriors.

The Warriors’ bottom of the standings record isn’t the most jarring change to Golden State, the fact Stephen Curry isn’t sprinting around the three-point line, launching shots from beyond the arc might be the most significant difference in the team’s first season in San Francisco’s new Chase Center.

Curry broke his left hand only four games in the 2019-20 season and has been relegated to the training table since late October.

The Warriors still plan on re-evaluating Curry’s hand in February, until then, Golden State will get a larger dose of the two-time Most Valuable Player on the sideline.

After getting pins removed from his surgically repaired hand in December, Curry was able to be around the Warriors on a more consistent basis— now in the new year, the All-Star guard has been cleared to travel with the team according to Steve Kerr.

Before the Warriors tipped off against the Detroit Pistons, Kerr told reporters Curry’s “definitely” able to travel with the team, but staying home may be the best place for him to continue his rehab.

I generally don’t ask guys to travel if they’re not going to play, especially because we have our facilities here for rehab — this is the best place for him to rehab in general.

Since Curry’s had the pins removed from his broken left hand, he’s been able to be around the team more often, whether that be on the bench for games, or at the practice facility. Multiple members of the Warriors mentioned there’s a different vibe when Curry is around the team, even from the bench, and now that energy could carry over to the road.

There are going to be road trips where Steph and Klay decide to come, but it’s more up to them and the training staff — I don’t have a requirement for anybody to come.

Kerr mentions Curry’s ability to travel at the 12:10 mark in the clip from his pregame press conference below.

Only winning three games away from home this season in 19 attempts, it’s safe to say Golden State can use any type of boost they can get while on the road.

Jaylen Brown, Hawks’ Young likely vs. Atlanta; Kemba Walker unlikely

Budding star Jaylen Brown and Atlanta’s Trae Young are poised to return in the two team’s Jan. 3 meeting while Kemba Walker looks to be a scratch with flu-like symptoms.

In a hectic January schedule, it maybe a blessing that the Boston Celtics are deep and their schedule comparatively light.

With only a handful of teams possessing a winning record on a slate without consecutive days off until the All-Star break, we may see Celtics players rest against inferior foes.

And from what we’re hearing from the team today, All-NBA point guard Kemba Walker may well be on that list Jan. 3 whether he likes it or not.

As first-time All-Star hopeful Jaylen Brown seems poised to return from a sinus infection Friday when the team faces the Atlanta Hawks, news is that the UConn product is dealing with flu-like symptoms, and is likely to miss the first contest of 2020 as a result, reports NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg.

Missing practice Thursday due to the illness, the former Charlotte Hornet can likely rest without putting the team’s return to the win column in much jeopardy assuming Brown is able to play against the 7-27 Hawks when guard Trae Young makes his own return from injury, as Sports Illustrated’s Ben Ladner reports as imminent.

Boston Sports Journal’s Brian Robb relates that rookie reserve center Vincent Poirier remains on track for a late January return from a broken pinkie finger sustained in mid-December.

This will help Boston feel more confident in its frontcourt depth, thinned greatly as Poirier and second-year center Robert Williams (left hip edema) have both been out for some time, perhaps even granting the Frenchman some of the elusive playing time he’s yet to win so far this season.

Schroder, Gallinari, and Diallo all available against Mavericks

Billy Donovan said all three will play without a minutes restriction against Dallas on Tuesday night.

If Oklahoma City’s New Year resolution was to get healthy, they’re already well on their way.

Per Maddie Lee of The Oklahoman, Billy Donovan announced Tuesday night that Dennis Schroder, Danilo Gallinari, and Hamidou Diallo will all be available against the Dallas Mavericks.

Schroder and Gallinari have both been dealing with ankle soreness. Schroder missed Sunday’s win over the Raptors after experiencing soreness in his right ankle following Friday’s win over Charlotte.

Gallinari didn’t even make the recent road trip with the Thunder. He has missed the last four games with left ankle soreness that he first felt in pregame prior to Oklahoma City’s win over the Clippers.

The best injury update from Tuesday, however, might be the return of Hamidou Diallo. Diallo missed the last 17 games for the Thunder after suffering a hyperextended right elbow in OKC’s loss to the Lakers back on Nov. 22.

The initial timetable for Diallo was four-to-six weeks.

Donovan said that all three will play without a minutes restriction on Tuesday night.

Oklahoma City will look to close out the 2019 calendar year with a home win over the Mavericks.

The Thunder heads back out on the road to start the New Year, going to San Antonio on January 2.

Danilo Gallinari could miss fifth straight game due to ankle soreness

He has not played since suffering left ankle soreness prior to OKC’s game vs. the Clippers on Dec. 22. His current status is questionable.

Danilo Gallinari could miss his fifth straight game with left ankle soreness.

He is still listed as questionable ahead of Oklahoma City’s final game of the 2019 calendar year against the Dallas Mavericks.

Gallinari did not travel with the team on their recent road trip due to the injury, a move Billy Donovan called “precautionary”.

Gallo initially injured his ankle during pregame prior to the Thunder’s win over the Los Angeles Clippers on December 22. He was replaced in the starting lineup by Darius Bazley and has not played since.

Gallinari has been one of Oklahoma City’s most potent offensive weapons this season, capable of giving the Thunder 20 points on any given night. On the year, he’s averaging 18.0 points per game and hitting 43.2% of his shots from the field.

Gallo has also been a valuable 3-point shooting, making 39.5% of his attempts from beyond the arc.

Dennis Schroder is also listed as questionable with ankle soreness, although Schroder’s injury is to his right ankle.

Hamidou Diallo is the third Thunder player listed as questionable prior to OKC’s matchup against the Mavericks, although Diallo was upgraded from out Tuesday afternoon.

Diallo has been working back from the hyperextension injury to his right elbow he suffered back on November 22.

Oklahoma City tips off against the Mavericks at 7 p.m. CT inside Chesapeake Energy Arena.

Hamidou Diallo upgraded to questionable ahead of OKC’s game vs. Mavs

Diallo has missed the last 17 games after suffering a hyperextended right elbow injury in the Thunder’s loss to the Lakers on November 22.

Finally some positive injury news for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

According to Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman, Hamidou Diallo has been upgraded ahead of the Thunder’s game against the Mavericks on Tuesday night. His status is now listed as questionable.

Diallo has been out since the end of November with a hyperextended right elbow injury. He suffered the injury while defending LeBron James in the fourth quarter of the Thunder’s 130-127 loss to the Lakers on November 22.

After suffering the injury, the Thunder had initially announced that Diallo would be re-evaluated in four-to-six weeks. As noted by Mussatto, as of Tuesday it’s been five weeks and one day.

Diallo has been closely monitored by the Oklahoma City medical staff since November and was said to be on track in his recovery.

Thunder head coach Billy Donovan told The Oklahoman earlier this month that Diallo had been doing what he could to “keep himself in shape”.

“I think that first part was a little bit difficult for him to really be able to do much because his arm was in a sling. But now that he’s got it out and he’s got the ability to run and move and use his right hand some, and use his right arm some, that’s been a good thing.”

Prior to his injury, Diallo was averaging 8.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, and .8 assists in 21.4 minutes per game.

Diallo has missed the Thunder’s last 17 games. He also missed three games early in November with left knee soreness.

Dennis Schroder questionable with right ankle soreness against Mavericks

Schroder missed Sunday’s win over the Raptors due to right ankle soreness. He is averaging 25.4 points over his last five games.

Dennis Schroder’s status for the Thunder’s 2019 calendar year finale is still uncertain.

Schroder is listed as questionable for Oklahoma City’s game on New Year’s Eve against the Mavericks.

Schroder missed Sunday’s win over the Raptors due to a sore right ankle. It was the first game that he had missed all season.

How he suffered the injury in Friday’s game against the Hornets is still unclear. Prior to injuring his ankle, Schroder had averaged 25.4 points, 5.0 assists, and 4.4 rebounds over his last five games.

Schroder has been an integral part of the Oklahoma City offense this season, embracing his role as the one of, if not the, best sixth man in the league.

Over his last ten games, Schroder is averaging 23.2 points per game and shooting 49.7% from the field.

He was named the Western Conference Player of the Week on Dec. 23 for his play during Oklahoma City’s four-game win streak from Dec. 16 through Dec. 22.

The Thunder will tip against inside Chesapeake Energy Arena at 7 p.m. against the Dallas Mavericks.

Tuesday night is Oklahoma City’s lone home game before they head back out for a four-game road trip.