As usual, the NBA put on a show on Christmas Day. But what seemed like a daily occurrence, players’ injuries took away from what was otherwise a joyous day.
Lakers Rising Star Among 3 Players To Suffer Concerning Christmas Day Injuries
It started with the first game of the day when New York’s “glue guy, ” Josh Hart, injured his ankle in the fourth quarter of the Knicks’ 126-124 victory over Cleveland. Dallas‘ Anthony Davis and Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves also left their respective games.
Josh Hart Injures Ankle In Fourth Quarter, Knicks Answer With Huge Comeback Win
New York picked up its third straight Christmas Day victory with a big comeback. But the victory did not come without a price, as Hart suffered an ankle injury.
New York definitely didn’t play its best basketball today, but the Knicks battled throughout the game and ended up with a 126-124 win over Cleveland. The Knicks got off to a slow start and trailed 18-3 midway through the first quarter. But the Knicks matched the Cavs the rest of the quarter. They then had a huge second quarter and headed into the locker room down just one.
The third quarter started as a back-and-forth affair. However, the Knicks went cold from the field during four minutes beginning about midway through the period, and the Cavs took advantage. The Knicks trailed 96-84 at the end of three.
Cleveland pushed their lead to 16 four minutes into the fourth. That is when the Knicks began their comeback, ignited by Hart. Hart scored four straight points but was injured on a drive to the basket with 7:43 left. He left the game after making both of his free throws.
According to the New York Post’s Stefen Bondy, Hart’s right foot bent inward as he drove and stepped on the foot of Cleveland’s Dean Wade on the drive. Hart then limped to the locker room after leaving the game, though he was back on the bench before the end of the game.
Despite losing Hart, the Knicks continued their comeback. Mitchell Robinson, who came into the game as Hart was at the free throw line, racked up five offensive rebounds in a three-and-a-half-minute stretch — leading to a Knicks basket every time – and viola, they were down just one at the four-minute mark. Jalen Brunson scored 13 points in the final stanza, including a key three-pointer, to put the Knicks up for good with 1:05 left.
Will Hart Miss Time?
New York Knicks coach Mike Brown didn’t have any updates on Hart’s condition after the game. But Bondy’s description of the injury is not promising. At the very least, he likely sprained his ankle.
Ankle injuries can be very tricky. Expect Hart to miss at least a week if it is a Grade 1 sprain. Now, if there is a partial tear, Hart could miss up to a month. If it is a Grade 3 sprain, Hart would likely be sidelined through the NBA trade deadline on February 6
New York has already dealt with ankle injuries recently. Brunson missed three weeks last March due to a Grade I-2 sprain. Meanwhile, Miles McBride has been sidelined for two and a half weeks with a high ankle sprain, costing him seven games.
New York is expected to give an update on Hart’s injury before the Knicks travel to Atlanta for their contest on Saturday. Until then, Hart was considered day-to-day. Any time Hart misses will be impactful, especially since Bride and Landry Shamet (shoulder) are not expected to return until after the New Year.
How Will The Knicks Replace Hart If He Misses Time?
New York (21-9) sits in second place in the Eastern Conference, three games behind Detroit. The Knicks are 13-3 since Hart moved into the starting lineup. Hart has really stepped up his production since moving to the first unit, averaging 14.6 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 5.6 assists with shooting splits of 51.0/41.8/89.3. He has produced eight double-doubles and one triple-double as a starter.
Saturday starts a three-game road trip for New York. After playing in Atlanta, the Knicks are in New Orleans (December 29) and San Antonio (December 31). They return home for a pair of back-to-backs against Atlanta (January 2 and Philadelphia (January 3.
Robinson is the most likely player to replace Hart in the starting lineup, at least until McBride or Shamet returns. The Knicks are 6-5 with Robinson in the starting lineup. Robinson has a plus/minus of +1.1 in the games he has started. Mohamed Diawara, Ariel Hukporti, and perhaps Guerschon Yabusele figure to see an uptick in playtime. Yabusele received his third straight DNP yesterday afternoon.
Anthony Davis Suffers Groin Injury
Anthony Davis is injured again. Davis experienced right groin spasms early in the second quarter of Dallas’ 126-116 loss to Golden State. He finished the game with three points — on 1 of 4 shooting — three rebounds, two blocks, and one steal in 11 minutes.
Davis has already missed 17 games this season. The good news, according to ESPN’s Malika Andrews, is that the injury may not be serious.
“Anthony Davis is experiencing muscle spasms, and the team tells me that this is out of an abundance of caution,” Andrew tweeted during the Warriors-Mavs game.
Davis started to feel the spasms shortly after deflecting a Stephen Curry pass and sprinting down the floor in transition. As Davis was sprinting down the court in transition, he pulled up lame right when Naji Marshall threw a long pass near the basket intended for Davis, resulting in a Mavs turnover. He then limped to the bench and checked out.
Following the game, Mavs coach Jason Kidd didn’t have any updates on Davis. Davis should be considered day-to-day until an update is available.
It is possible that Davis won’t miss any time due to the injury. If there is no strain, Davis could be back in 1 to 3 days, depending on how he handles the pain and his mobility. However, if it is a mild sprain, he could miss between one and two weeks.
Davis has played well since returning from his previous injuries. In 10 games this month, Davis averages 21.2 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.6 blocks. He has produced six double-doubles during this stretch.
Mavericks Have Been Playing Better
Dallas is in 11th place in the Western Conference with a 12-20 record. The Mavericks, who are 5-5 this month, are one game back of the 10th-place Portland Trail Blazers. Overall, the Mavs have won eight of the 15 games Davis has played.
Dallas travels to Sacramento to face Dallas on Saturday. The Mavericks finish the year in Portland (December 29 and host Philadelphia on New Year’s. If Davis misses time, Daniel Gafford will start in his place, with Dwight Powell and Moussa Cisse serving as his backups.
Austin Reaves Dealing With Calf Soreness
Austin Reaves was outstanding in the first half of LA’s 119-96 loss to Houston as he scored 12 points on 5 of 8 shooting, including 2 of 5 from the 3-point line in 15 minutes. However, he didn’t play in the second half due to calf soreness. According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Reaves left Crypto.com without a brace, though he is slated to have an MRI today.
Reaves will likely miss some time; how much will depend on the MRI results. Reaves just returned from a calf injury this week after missing three games. He was on a minute restriction on Tuesday in the Lakers’ loss to Phoenix, seeing just 22 minutes of court time.
Reaves has followed up a breakout season last year with an even better start to this season. And the Lakers really need him, as they have lost three straight and six of 10. The Lakers (19-10) sit fourth in the West, though they were second at the beginning of the month.
“Austin clearly felt something,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said after the game. “We did our normal halftime, and then as we were walking out of the locker room, [Lakers director of player performance and health] Dr. [LeRoy] Sims told me he was out.”
LA is off until Sunday, when it continues its five-game homestand against Sacramento. The Lakers then host Detroit on Tuesday. Marcus Smart figures to re-enter the starting lineup, for as long as Reaves is out.
“I know how it is to go through a calf injury,” Luka Doncic told McMenamin. “It’s not fun at all. [I will] just be there to support him. Take your time. Calves are dangerous, so take your time.”
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