Injury updates are part of the NBA grind, and as we hit the heart of the season, several teams are managing key absences that could have ripple effects on rotations and momentum. Here’s a closer look at some notable names set to miss upcoming games - and what that means for their squads.
Cavaliers Without Garland, Merrill in Philly
The Cleveland Cavaliers will be without starting point guard Darius Garland for Friday’s matchup in Philadelphia, as he deals with soreness in his right big toe. Importantly, this isn’t a flare-up of the toe issue that required offseason surgery - it’s a different toe on the opposite foot. Still, it’s another setback for a player who’s had a frustrating run with injuries this season.
Also sidelined for Cleveland is sharpshooter Sam Merrill, who’s battling a right hand sprain. Merrill already missed 14 games earlier this season with the same injury, and both he and Garland sustained their latest knocks during Wednesday’s win - ironically, also against the Sixers.
Without Garland’s playmaking and Merrill’s perimeter shooting, the Cavs will need others to step up. Expect more ball-handling duties for Donovan Mitchell and increased minutes for Caris LeVert and Craig Porter Jr. Cleveland’s depth will be tested against a tough Eastern Conference opponent.
Heat Thin on the Perimeter vs. Thunder
The Miami Heat are heading into Saturday’s game against the Thunder shorthanded in the backcourt. Starting point guard Davion Mitchell is set to miss his second straight game with a left shoulder contusion.
Meanwhile, sixth man Jaime Jaquez Jr. will also sit out again due to a left knee sprain. An MRI on Thursday showed irritation in Jaquez’s knee, which will keep him sidelined for at least one more contest.
Mitchell has yet to undergo imaging on his shoulder.
Tyler Herro, who’s dealing with contusions on both his toe and rib, is officially listed as questionable. If he can’t go, Miami’s guard depth takes another hit. That could mean expanded roles for players like Dru Smith or even more usage for Jimmy Butler as a secondary creator.
Wizards Lose Coulibaly for Remainder of Road Trip
Rookie forward Bilal Coulibaly will miss the final two games of the Wizards’ west coast swing after leaving Wednesday’s loss to the Clippers with a back injury. The team is calling it lower back stiffness, and head coach Brian Keefe confirmed that Coulibaly has returned to Washington, D.C. for treatment.
Coulibaly has shown flashes of why he was a lottery pick, especially on the defensive end, so this absence is a setback for both his development and the Wizards’ rotation. With the team already in rebuild mode, preserving his long-term health is the clear priority.
Celtics’ Pritchard Doubtful, Minott Still Out
The Boston Celtics could be without one of their key bench contributors on Saturday when they face Atlanta. Guard Payton Pritchard is listed as doubtful due to left ankle soreness. The reigning Sixth Man of the Year has been a model of consistency this season, appearing in all 40 of Boston’s games so far, so this would mark his first missed contest of the campaign.
Forward Josh Minott remains out as well, set to miss his seventh straight game with a left ankle sprain. While Minott isn’t a major rotation piece, his absence limits Boston’s frontcourt depth, especially in matchups that demand athleticism and switchability on defense.
As the regular season grinds on, injuries like these are part of the landscape - but they can also open the door for younger players and bench pieces to make an impact. With playoff positioning slowly starting to take shape, how teams manage these absences - and who steps up - could quietly shape the bigger picture down the stretch.