Lakers guard Quentin Grimes expects to play Sunday against the Suns after recovering from a right finger sprain, while teammate Luka Doncic remains active following a recent fall.
These updates, alongside status changes for Evan Mobley, Nolan Traore, and Yves Missi, highlight a week of injury management across the NBA.
Grimes and Doncic Clear for Sunday
The Lakers are managing several active injury concerns as they approach their weekend schedule. Quentin Grimes has been sidelined for two games due to a right finger sprain, but he is trending toward a return.
“The swelling has gone down a lot, it’s basically down to normal,” Grimes told Mark Medina. He confirmed to Jovan Buha for Hoops Rumors that he plans to suit up against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday.
Quentin Grimes said he’s feeling good and expects to play Sunday in Phoenix.
Luka Doncic also faced a health scare following a heavy fall during the Lakers’ previous contest. Head coach JJ Redick said that the star guard is “fine” and is expected to be available for the Sunday matchup, according to Buha.
Sexton and Reaves Day-to-Day
The Lakers’ backcourt depth remains under observation with Collin Sexton and Austin Reaves both listed as day-to-day. Sexton is recovering from a laceration near his eye that required stitches, while Reaves is managing a bruised left heel sustained during Wednesday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks.
As for other injury updates, Luka Doncic is “fine” and expected to play Sunday vs. Phoenix, according to JJ Redick. Collin Sexton is “day-to-day.” And Quentin Grimes participated in today’s stay-ready games.
Reaves underwent X-rays at the arena to rule out structural damage. The imaging returned clean, and the team opted against further diagnostic testing, Dave McMenamin reported for ESPN.
Mobley MRI Results Clear
The Cleveland Cavaliers received positive news regarding Evan Mobley, who was ruled out for Friday’s game against the Miami Heat. Mobley suffered a left great toe sprain in the final moments of Wednesday’s game against the New York Knicks.
Lakers’ Quentin Grimes on how he’s adjusting to his injury and his optimism on whether he can play Sunday vs Suns pic.twitter.com/xA8Kn4ttn5
“It’s a sprain, so he’s definitely sore and all that, but we don’t expect it to be a long-term thing at all,” coach Kenny Atkinson told Chris Fedor for Cleveland.com. An MRI performed on the toe showed no significant damage, providing relief for the Cavaliers’ frontcourt rotation.
Nolan Traore Nears Return While Yves Missi Resumes Activities
Brooklyn’s backcourt is nearing full capacity as Nolan Traore is listed as probable for Saturday’s game. Traore previously missed time due to right calf soreness, as noted by Brian Lewis for the New York Post. Meanwhile, Mikel Brown Jr. remains questionable for the Nets due to an illness, and Ben Saraf continues his assignment with the Long Island Nets.
Nolan Traore is listed as probable for the #Nets tomorrow with right calf soreness. Mikel Brown Jr. is questionable against the #Grizzlies with an illness. Ben Saraf has not been called up, still on G League assignment.
In New Orleans, the medical staff has cleared Yves Missi to resume on-court activities. Missi has been out since the second game of the season with a left knee bone bruise and hyperextension, Rod Walker reported for NOLA.com.
The rookie big man participated in a light practice on Thursday. “The past two days I’ve been running and jumping,” Missi said. While he is trending toward a return, head coach Jamahl Mosley noted there is no set timeline for his official return to play, as the team continues to monitor his response to increased physical workloads.
