The NBA injury report has updates for players Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, Joakim Noah, Blake Griffin, Pau Gasol, Bradley Beal, Mike Conley, Derrick Rose, Al Jefferson and Derrick Favors heading into the Monday schedule.
Carmelo Anthony returned from an ankle injury for the Knicks and helped the team earn a victory against the 76ers. Bradley Beal has returned for the Washington Wizards, while the LA Clippers are expecting Blake Griffin back sometime over the next week or two. Derrick Favors sat out his 14th straight game for the Jazz, while the Bulls have Joakim Noah out for the season with a shoulder injury. Derrick Rose and Pau Gasol returned to action after sitting with injuries, while Mike Conley returned to action for the Grizzlies.
Kobe Bryant has been dealing with an Achilles issue, but he is probable to play against the Kings on Wednesday. Bryant was able to play on Sunday and was in the game for 24 minutes and the time off between that game and the Sacramento game could put him in line to play. Bryant is averaging 16 points per game this season and while he is not quite 100 percent, Bryant likely will not be sitting against the Kings.
Anthony suffered an ankle injury last week for the Knicks against the Celtics and that kept him out of the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday. Anthony was able to return on Monday against the Philadelphia 76ers and the ankle did not appear to be an issue, as he was able to play 49 minutes in the double overtime win for New York. Anthony had 19 points with seven rebounds and seven assists in the game for the Knicks and he appears to be over his ankle injury.
Joakim Noah underwent surgery on his shoulder and now will be out for the rest of the season for the Chicago Bulls, according to the Chicago Tribune. Noah was dealing with a dislocated left shoulder and after undergoing surgery the forward will have a 4-to-6 month timetable to recover. Noah is heading towards free agency and the injury could mean that his career is done in Chicago.
Al Jefferson had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee to help repair his lateral meniscus in December and is still about a month away from returning. Jefferson was expected to miss around a month and a half with the injury and that could put him on track to return sometime in February for the Hornets. Favors has been out with a back injury for the Jazz and he has missed a significant amount of time with the injury. Favors sat out his 14th staright game for Utah and he has reportedly been "progressing" and could be back before the end of the month.
