Author: Editor

Jalen Williams Ruled Out Indefinitely With Grade 1 Hamstring Strain

Jalen Williams Ruled Out Indefinitely With Grade 1 Hamstring Strain

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams will miss at least the next three games of the team’s first-round series against the Phoenix Suns after sustaining a Grade 1 left hamstring strain, the team announced Thursday. Williams will be evaluated on a weekly basis.

The injury occurred with 6:26 remaining in the third quarter of Wednesday’s 120-107 Game 2 victory. Williams grabbed his left leg after missing a fast-break layup attempt, subsequently took a deliberate foul to exit the game and went directly to the locker room. He did not address reporters before departing Paycom Center.

Williams is ruled out for Saturday’s Game 3, Monday’s Game 4 and a potential Wednesday Game 5.

The timing is a significant blow despite Oklahoma City’s commanding series position. Williams had been outstanding to open the postseason after a regular season limited to 33 games due to injury. He posted 22 points, seven rebounds and six assists in Game 1 and followed with 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting in 23 minutes in Game 2.

“He was playing an outstanding game,” coach Mark Daigneault said. “He was on the gas. He had great force. He was hitting shots.”

Williams, a third-team All-NBA selection last season, played through a torn scapholunate ligament in his right wrist throughout last year’s championship run before undergoing surgery. He also missed extended stretches this season with a right hamstring strain.

Oklahoma City went 39-10 without Williams in the lineup this regular season.

by Editor

Edgecombe makes history with 30-10 to stun C’s

Edgecombe makes history with 30-10 to stun C’s

VJ Edgecombe had 30 points and 10 rebounds while playing through pain after taking a hard fall on his back early in the game, Tyrese Maxey scored 29 points, and the 76ers beat the Celtics 111-97 to tie their series at one game apiece.

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Luka Dončić still out indefinitely, but Austin Reaves reportedly nearing return to Lakers with on-court work

Luka Dončić still out indefinitely, but Austin Reaves reportedly nearing return to Lakers with on-court work

The Los Angeles Lakers appear to have some clarity with one of their injured stars, but not Luka Dončić.

Austin Reaves, currently recovering from a Grade 2 oblique strain, recently began 1-on-1 on-court work and is theoretically on track for a return either later in the Lakers’ first-round series or early in the Western Conference semifinals, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Reaves still reportedly has to progress through 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 work before making a return, but he’s ahead of Dončić, who remains out indefinitely with a Grade 2 hamstring strain and is not expected to play in the first round.

That update came a day after Reaves and Dončić were both seen on the practice court, but not doing any intense work.

The Lakers entered Tuesday with a 1-0 lead over the Houston Rockets after their win in Game 1.

The Rockets were strongly favored going into the series due to the absences of the Lakers’ two leading scorers, but Houston surprisingly found itself without its own leading scorer when Kevin Durant was ruled out with a knee contusion.

The result of that was a completely out-of-sync offense for the Rockets in Game 1, while LeBron James and Luke Kennard led the short-handed Lakers to a surprise victory.

Game 2 is scheduled for Tuesday at 10:30 p.m. ET.

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Blazers’ lack of fan T-shirts invites questions

Blazers’ lack of fan T-shirts invites questions

The Portland Trail Blazers won’t give away T-shirts for fans when they take on the San Antonio Spurs in Games 3 and 4 of the opening series, another in a series of moves that has drawn questions about the team’s cost-cutting and finances.

by Editor