The NBA injury report heading into this week has updates for Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard, Bradley Beal, Kobe Bryant, Eric Bledsoe, Harrison Barnes, Danilo Gallinari, Blake Griffin and Rudy Gobert
The Cavaliers have Kyrie Irving back finally, but the point guard is going to sit out Tuesday with the team playing back to back games. Irving sat out of a back to back last week and now will do so again after the Cavs just played the Suns. Irving said to the Akron Beacon Journal that this will be the last time he sits out of back to back games for the Cavs and added that it will be "hopefully the last two games I miss for the rest of the season."
Irving has been a bit rusty since coming back, but he had not played since the NBA finals before making his return, so some struggles were likely for the point guard early on. The Blazers have been playing without Damian Lillard, as the point guard is dealing with plantar fasciitis in his foot. Lillard likely will be out until Wednesday at the earliest after missing four straight games for Portland. Lillard has a chance to return on Wednesday against the Nuggets or on Thursday when the Blazers take on the Jazz.
Kobe Bryant has been dealing with a sore knee for the Lakers, but he was able to play on Monday for the team against the Hornets. Bryant was not at his best and the knee could have been an issue, as Bryant hit just five of 20 shots he took in the game. Bryant ended up scoring 20 points and added four rebounds and two assists in the game. Lou Williams also played after dealing with a shoulder injury.
Bradley Beal remains out for the Washington Wizards, but the guard is expected to be backs sometime in January, although he does not have a set return date. According to the Washington Post, Beal is starting up "non-contact" work soon and could start doing more basketball related activities if he continues to make progress without any setbacks. Beal is dealing with a leg injury and has not played since early December.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wizards-insider/wp/2015/12/27/bradley-beal-expected-to-resume-non-basketball-activities-this-week/
Eric Bledsoe went down with a torn left meniscus for the Suns and he could be out for at least six weeks with surgery, according to Yahoo Sports. Bledsoe has dealt with knee issues in the past and this one could keep Bledsoe out for the Suns until around the All-Star break. The Suns have been one of the more disappointing teams in the league this season and losing Bledsoe is a big hit. UPDATE: Eric Bledsoe will be out for the season, according to ESPN.
Harrison Barnes remains out for the Golden State Warriors with an ankle injury and according to CSN Bay Area, he does not have a set date to return. Luke Walton said that Barnes "looks better" but that the team is not sure when he will be back after missing out on the game on Monday night. Rudy Gobert has been making "progress," while Blake Griffin remains out for the Clippers. CBS Sports reports that Gallinari likely will not return for the Nuggets until sometime in early January with an ankle injury.
