Mo Bamba Out At Least Four Weeks With High Left Ankle Sprain
Mo Bamba will be out for at least four weeks with a high left ankle sprain. The Los Angeles Lakers acquired Bamba from the Orlando Magic for Patrick Beverley at the trade deadline. Bamba is on a $10.3 million non-guaranteed contract for 23-24.
Isaiah Stewart Out 3-4 Weeks With Left Shoulder Impingement
Isaiah Stewart will miss the next 3-4 weeks with a left shoulder impingement, the Detroit Pistons announced on Thursday. With the Pistons' regular season finale on April 9, Stewart may be out for the rest of this year. The 21-year-old had missed the previous four games with hip soreness.
D'Angelo Russell Expected To Return Friday Against Raptors
D'Angelo Russell is expected to return to the Los Angeles Lakers lineup on Friday against the Toronto Raptors. Russell has missed the last six games with a sprained right ankle. Darvin Ham added that Russell will be "pretty much a full go" when asked about a minutes restriction. Dennis Schroder averaged 14.3 points and 8.5 assists starting in place of Russell.
Jonathan Kuminga Injured During Warmups, Left Arena In Walking Boot
Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga was injured during his team's pregame warmups on Thursday night. Kuminga rolled his right ankle while the Warriors warmed up before playing at the Memphis Grizzlies. NBC Sports Bay Area cameras spotted Kuminga leaving the arena in a walking boot. Kuminga had previously tweaked the ankle in a recent game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The second-year forward has been a key rotation player for the Warriors off the bench this season. Kuminga is averaging 9.2 points and 3.3 rebounds in 20.2 minutes per game. His improved passing and defense have been cited by Golden State coaches as key improvements Kuminga has made since his rookie season.
Jalen Brunson Leaves Game With Left Foot Soreness
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson's return to the lineup lasted only two quarters. Brunson left Thursday's game at the Sacramento Kings at halftime after reaggravating his left foot soreness. Brunson had missed the Knicks prior two games with a sore left foot. In 19 first-half minutes against the Kings, Brunson scored 19 points. However, the point guard seemed to be hampered on the defensive end of the floor, as he had trouble keeping up with De'Aaron Fox and other Kings guards. Postgame, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said he wasn't sure what Brunson was dealing with beyond reaggravated soreness. At this point, it's unknown if the injury will keep Brunson out for New York's next game on Saturday afternoon at the LA Clippers.
Lonzo Ball Facing Possible Third Surgery On Right Knee
Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball has already been shut down for the remainder of this season. Now, Ball is facing a third surgery on his right knee that would extend that absence into next season, as well. Ball hasn't played since suffering a torn meniscus on January 14, 2022. At the time of injury, Ball was in the midst of the best all-around season of his career and the Chicago Bulls were one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. The veteran point guard still can't run, cut or jump without pain, following two surgeries over the past year-plus. A third surgery is considered the best path for Ball to play again. Ball and his representatives are consulting specialists, but a third surgery would likely come with an additional sixth months of recovery and rehab. That would put Ball in a tough spot to be ready for the start of the 2023-24 season.