The NBA injury report for this week has some notable names, including Arron Afflalo, Kyrie Irving, JR Smith, Terrence Jones, Michael Carter-Williams, Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, Brook Lopez and Joakim Noah. DeMarcus Cousins, Dwight Howard and Andrew Bogut returned to the court after missing games for their teams last week.
DeMarcus Cousins had been dealing with an Achilles injury and was able to return after missing four games for the Kings. The team has lost six straight and there could be changes coming soon, including with George Karl. Cousins has now played in four games this season and is averaging 21 points and 11 rebounds per contest. Cousins returned and had a big impact, scoring 21 points and putting up 12 boards, three assists, two steals and one block in the loss to the Spurs. Cousins played 32 minutes in the game, his highest total since the end of October.
UPDATE: Kevin Durant is dealing with a hamstring injury and will be out for at least a week for the Thunder. Check here for more from NBA.com.
Check here for more on the NBA and the injury report for this week.
The Cavaliers continue to deal with some injuries, but it has not stopped the team from getting off to a strong start this season. JR Smith has been out with a knee injury and he has missed three straight games, but according to the Akron Beacon Journal, Smith is "questionable" to return on Tuesday against the Jazz. Iman Shumpert remains out with a wrist injury, while Kyrie Irving is working his way back from knee surgery. Irving said to ESPN that he has a return date in mind, but that he is keeping it to himself. Irving is projected to be back sometime around December or possibly in January.
UPDATE: Marc Stein at ESPN reports that the Pelicans have Anthony Davis listed as doubtful for the game on Wednesday against the Hawks with a hip issue and that he is "day-to-day going forward."
Bradley Beal is dealing with a shoulder injury, but the Washington Post reports that he could play on Tuesday after injuring his shoulder against the Hawks. The team is playing the Thunder and Washington sure would like to have Beal in the lineup. This season Beal is averaging 22.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game while shooting 48.6 percent from the floor.
Arron Afflalo has been dealing with a hamstring injury for the Knicks and he remains out. The team is hoping that Afflalo can come back this week, but ESPN reports that he will not play on Tuesday against the Raptors. Terrence Jones has been back at practice for the Rockets and he is expected to be back on Wednesday. Jones has been dealing with an eye injury and has missed the last stretch of games.
Brook Lopez is dealing with a back injury and a sore foot and he was able to participate in a limited basis in practice on Tuesday. Lopez is expected to play against the Rockets on Wednesday. Carter-Williams was unable to practice on Monday and is not expected to play against the Celtics on Tuesday for the Bucks.
