Injuries & Player Updates

Mobley returns early from calf strain to give Cavs timely boost

Evan Mobley
December 2025

Evan Mobley made a rapid return from a Grade 1 left calf strain to log 14 points and nine rebounds in 25 minutes during the Cavaliers’ narrow 126-124 loss to the Knicks, beating the original two-to-four-week recovery estimate. After progressing quickly through 3-on-3 and 4-on-4 in practice, the 23-year-old Defensive Player of the Year came off the bench, joining other recent returnees like Wembanyama and Williamson in easing back from injury as Cleveland tries to build momentum despite multiple starters sidelined.

Nuggets boosted as MRI shows bone bruise only for Cameron Johnson

Cameron Johnson
December 2025

Denver received encouraging news on forward Cameron Johnson after an MRI showed only a bone bruise in his right knee, with no ligament or structural damage, easing fears of a major setback following his injury during the Nuggets’ narrow 131-130 loss to Dallas. Johnson is expected to miss only a handful of games but joins starters Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun on the injury list, leaving Denver short-handed for their upcoming Christmas matchup with Minnesota as they manage minutes and depth across a demanding festive schedule.

Slot expects Isak back this season despite fractured fibula

Alexander Isak
December 2025

Record signing Alexander Isak fractured his fibula and damaged his ankle while scoring in Liverpool’s win over nine-man Spurs, capping a turbulent start to life at Anfield following a disrupted pre-season and just as he seemed to be regaining sharpness from the bench. Slot condemned Van de Ven’s “reckless” tackle, arguing it would cause serious injury most times, and confirmed surgery plus “a couple of months” out but insisted Isak will still feature later this season, even as Liverpool also cope with Salah at AFCON, Szoboszlai’s suspension and fitness doubts over Bradley and Gakpo.

Clippers lose Ivica Zubac for weeks with ankle sprain

Ivica Zubac
December 2025

Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac will miss several weeks after suffering a Grade 2 sprain to his left ankle, having landed awkwardly on LeBron James’ foot during the first quarter of a 103-88 win over the Lakers at the Intuit Dome. Zubac left the game after posting five points and two rebounds in 11 minutes, with scans confirming significant ligament damage, and the 28-year-old’s absence deprives the Clippers of a double-double machine who anchors their interior defense and has been central to their frontcourt identity.

Luka Dončić injury adds to shorthanded Lakers concerns

Luka Dončić
December 2025

Luka Dončić left the Lakers’ derby defeat to the Clippers at halftime with a left leg contusion, cutting short the NBA’s leading scorer’s night after 19 minutes and 12 points and adding fresh concern over his fitness in an already injury hit Los Angeles squad. Coach JJ Redick said he noticed Dončić limping in the second quarter but could not offer a timeline, while LeBron James called injuries the worst part of sport as the Lakers juggle absences for Rui Hachimura, Deandre Ayton and Austin Reaves and search for stability in the Western Conference race.

Kings lose Domantas Sabonis for another month with knee meniscus tear

Domantas Sabonis
December 2025

Sacramento Kings big man Domantas Sabonis will miss at least another month with a partial left meniscus tear, extending an absence that has coincided with the team sinking near the bottom of the Western Conference at 6-21 after 11 appearances from their All-Star center. Sabonis, who averaged 17.2 points and 12.3 rebounds before the injury, will be re-evaluated in four to five weeks as the Kings lean on rookie Maxime Raynaud. The second-rounder has seized the extra minutes, posting rising scoring and rebounding numbers over his last eight games.

Trae Young Cleared To Return From MCL Sprain Against Hornets

Trae Young
December 2025

Trae Young will return to the Atlanta Hawks lineup against the Charlotte Hornets after missing nearly two months with a sprained right MCL, having originally gone down on October 29 following a five game start that saw him average 17.8 points and 7.8 assists. Atlanta have gone 13 wins and nine losses without their four time All Star, who led the league in assists last season, and they now hope his playmaking lift can push a 15-12 team higher in the East as he eases back under minutes management.

Zion closes out Bulls as injury-hit Pelicans star makes winning return

Zion Williamson
December 2025

Zion Williamson returned from a right hip adductor strain to post 18 points off the bench, including seven in the final four minutes, sparking the last-place Pelicans to a 114-104 home win over the Bulls and easing fears after yet another injury-interrupted start to his season. Limited to just under 27 minutes in his first game back after missing five, Williamson leaned on improved summer conditioning, capped his night with a late dunk and admitted rehab “sucks” but is now shorter thanks to better preparation, while James Borrego praised him for working back slightly ahead of schedule.

Cavs lose Mobley for up to a month with calf strain setback

Evan Mobley
December 2025

Cleveland center Evan Mobley has been ruled out for between two and four weeks after scans revealed a Grade 1 strain in his left calf, sidelining the All Star big man at a time when he is averaging 19.1 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks. Mobley suffered the issue in a 130-126 win over Washington and will enter rest and rehab while the Cavaliers lean more heavily on Jarrett Allen and their backup bigs, needing to shore up interior defense and rebounding to stay competitive in the Eastern race.

Lakers lose in form Austin Reaves for at least a week with calf strain

Austin Reaves
December 2025

Austin Reaves will miss at least one week with a mild left calf strain, sidelining the breakout guard for the Lakers’ next two games just as he averages 27.8 points, 6.7 assists and 5.6 rebounds while forming a high scoring backcourt with Luka Doncic. The injury is the latest setback in an already disrupted Lakers season, with James only recently returning after missing 14 games and Doncic sitting six through load management and family reasons. The team, 17 7 so far, must now cover Reaves’ usage and creation while keeping their strong start on track.

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