Jalen Williams
April 2026
Oklahoma City guard-forward Jalen Williams left Game 2 against Phoenix with a left hamstring injury, creating a major concern despite the Thunder taking a 2-0 series lead. Reuters confirmed the injury after the game. Williams had 19 points before exiting in the third quarter. Coach Mark Daigneault said the team will evaluate him over the coming days, with no immediate timeline given.
Victor Wembanyama
April 2026
Victor Wembanyama has been placed in the NBA’s concussion protocol after falling face-first during San Antonio’s playoff loss to Portland. His status for Game 3 is uncertain and looks doubtful given the timing and protocol steps required. Wembanyama was fouled, could not brace his fall, and hit the floor with his jaw. Coach Mitch Johnson said the Spurs will follow the league process, which includes at least 48 hours of recovery before further testing and clearance.
Kevin Durant
April 2026
Kevin Durant missed Houston’s playoff opener against the Lakers because of a bruised right knee suffered in practice. The Rockets still believe it may only cost him one game. Udoka said Durant tested the knee but did not feel well enough to play because of pain and restricted movement. Scans found no structural damage, and Houston remain hopeful he can return quickly as the series continues.
Kevin Durant
April 2026
Kevin Durant missed Game 1 of Houston’s playoff series against the Lakers with a right knee injury suffered in practice. The Rockets do not believe it is a long-term problem, but they had to begin the series without their leading scorer. Ime Udoka said Durant tested the knee but could not move comfortably enough to play. Houston hopes the issue is only worth one game, and Reed Sheppard stepped into the lineup while the Lakers also continue without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Bam Adebayo
April 2026
Bam Adebayo left Miami’s play-in game against Charlotte in the second quarter and did not return after a hard fall injured his back. The incident followed contact with LaMelo Ball and became a major talking point after the game. Ball grabbed at Adebayo’s ankle during the sequence, causing him to fall hard on his backside. No foul was called and the play could not be reviewed once action continued, which left Miami furious after the Hornets eventually won in overtime.
Tyrese Haliburton
April 2026
Tyrese Haliburton says shingles, not his torn Achilles recovery, is now the biggest issue he must overcome this offseason. He said the illness caused nerve pain, weight gain, swelling and partial eyebrow loss, even though his Achilles rehab itself is tracking well. Haliburton told reporters he is ready from the leg-injury side but shingles delayed his return to five-on-five work until last week. He said the illness has brought more day-to-day suffering than expected, though he remains confident he will be ready after a full summer of work.
Joel Embiid
April 2026
Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with appendicitis and will undergo surgery, ruling him out immediately as Philadelphia fight for Eastern Conference playoff positioning. The 76ers are eighth and still trying to avoid the play-in while only one game behind sixth-place Toronto. The team first listed Embiid out with illness, then confirmed the appendicitis diagnosis and surgery in Houston. He has played only 38 games this season, averaging 26.9 points and 7.7 rebounds, and there is no return timeline yet.
Cade Cunningham
April 2026
Cade Cunningham marked his return from a collapsed lung with 13 points and 10 assists in Detroit’s 137-111 win over Milwaukee. His comeback gives the East-leading Pistons another major boost as they head into the playoffs with the top seed already secured. Cunningham was set to return after missing 11 games. After the win, he said he felt very good physically, while coach J.B. Bickerstaff praised the medical staff and added that Detroit’s strong run without him had also helped other players grow in confidence before the postseason.
San Antonio Spurs
April 2026
Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle were ruled out of San Antonio’s game against Portland, with Wembanyama dealing with a left rib contusion and Castle managing right knee soreness. The absences come with the regular season nearly over and award eligibility still in play for Wembanyama. Wembanyama picked up the rib injury against Philadelphia, while Castle’s knee soreness followed his latest triple-double performance. Wembanyama still needs one more game of at least 20 minutes to qualify for major season awards, so the Spurs are balancing caution with timing.
Kevin Porter Jr
April 2026
Kevin Porter Jr. has been ruled out for the rest of the season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. The injury had bothered him since the opening game, cutting short a strong campaign in which he averaged 17.4 points, 7.4 assists and 5.2 rebounds. The Bucks said the procedure was performed in Vail by Dr. Tom Hackett. Coach Doc Rivers explained Porter never fully recovered after hurting the knee eight minutes into the first game, while also praising the guard for fighting through pain and producing a very good season.
