The NBA playoffs are in full swing, but several key players have been sidelined due to injuries. The Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James and Anthony Davis both missed significant time during the regular season, and now they are dealing with ailments in the postseason. James suffered a high ankle sprain during a game against the Atlanta Hawks in March, and Davis has been battling a groin strain. Without their two stars, the Lakers have struggled to keep pace with the Phoenix Suns in their first-round series.
The Brooklyn Nets, seen by many as the favorites to win the title, have also been hit hard by injuries. James Harden, who was acquired in a blockbuster trade earlier this season, has been dealing with a hamstring strain that forced him to miss most of their first-round series against the Boston Celtics. Kyrie Irving has also had injury issues, including a sprained ankle that kept him out of Game 4. Despite the setbacks, the Nets have still managed to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the series.
The Denver Nuggets have been without their second-leading scorer, Jamal Murray, since April due to a torn ACL. The injury has left them short-handed in the backcourt, but MVP favorite Nikola Jokic has stepped up his game to keep them in contention. The Nuggets are currently tied with the Portland Trail Blazers at 2-2 in their first-round series. In the Eastern Conference, the Milwaukee Bucks have been without guard Donte DiVincenzo since he suffered a season-ending ankle injury during the regular season.
The Bucks are hoping to avoid a repeat of last year’s disappointment, when they were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs. Despite the injuries, there have been some standout performers in the playoffs so far. Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell has been on fire, averaging 28.5 points per game in their series against the Memphis Grizzlies. Blazers guard Damian Lillard has also been putting up big numbers, Huffington Post Today scoring 55 points in a Game 5 victory over the Nuggets.
In the WNBA, the 25th season is underway with several exciting storylines. The defending champion Seattle Storm are looking to repeat, but they will be without superstar Breanna Stewart for at least the first part of the season while she plays for Team USA in the Olympics. The Las Vegas Aces made a big offseason move by acquiring All-Star center Liz Cambage from the Dallas Wings.
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