This NBA season has been marked by several notable, critical injuries. Here's a look at the most important ones to watch for each team in the postseason.
Eastern Conference
Boston Celtics
Shane Larkin
Injury: Sprained left shoulder
Status: Likely will not play in Eastern Conference finals.
The Latest: Larkin played just two minutes in Game 4 of the semifinals before suffering the injury when he collided with Philadelphia's Joel Embiid. Coach Brad Stevens said surgery likely won't be needed, but Larkin will be out "for the foreseeable future." Full story »
Players expected to miss the remainder of the season: Gordon Hayward (out since Oct. 17 with dislocated ankle), Kyrie Irving (out since March 11 after knee surgery), Daniel Theis (out since March 11 with torn meniscus in left knee).
Cleveland Cavaliers
George Hill
Injury: Back spasms
Status: Returned to action in Game 7 win vs. Pacers.
The Latest: Hill has started every game since the start of the conference semifinals. The Cavaliers are the healthiest team left in the postseason. Full story »
Western Conference
Houston Rockets
Chris Paul
Injury: Right hamstring
Status: Left Game 5 of the conference finals with 22.4 seconds remaining. Uncertain to play in Game 6 at Golden State.
The Latest: Paul's status will be updated Friday. In the event Paul cannot play, the Rockets will turn to reigning Sixth Man of the Year Eric Gordon. Houston went 20-10 during the regular season when Gordon started, but the Rockets need to find someone (anyone) who can play rotation minutes.
Forward Luc Mbah a Moute is still struggling with his shoulder injury and has been a DNP-CD in Games 4 and 5, while Gerald Green has been the only other Houston bench player beside Gordon to play since a 41-point Game 3 loss. Other guard options for Houston include veteran midseason acquisition Joe Johnson and late-season addition Aaron Jackson. Johnson has played more than 10 minutes in a game only once this postseason, while Jackson has played a total of 48 combined regular-season and postseason minutes in his short NBA career. Full story »
Golden State Warriors
Andre Iguodala
Injury: Left lateral leg contusion
Status: Injured in Game 3, missed Games 4-5 against Rockets. Status is uncertain for Game 6.
The Latest: Iguodala's injury forced Golden State to start Kevon Looney at center in Games 4 and 5 against the Rockets, breaking up the "Hamptons Five" lineup that also features All-Stars Stephen Curry (knee), Klay Thompson (knee), Kevin Durant and Draymond Green. It has also stripped Golden State's relatively thin bench further, with only Shaun Livingston having a reliably consistent role. Full story »