The NBA playoffs started this weekend, and the big news was injuries to star players.
Memphis star guard Ja Morant, Milwaukee forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and Miami guard Tyler Herro all sustained significant injuries on Sunday.
Morant said his status is “in jeopardy” for Game 2 of the Grizzlies’ series against the Los Angeles Lakers after aggravating his hand injury during the Grizzlies’ Game 1 loss.
The star guard used his already injured right hand to brace himself during an awkward fall after a mid-air collision Lakers’ forward Anthony Davis while attempting a dunk midway through the fourth quarter. Morant’s face contorted in pain before he ran off the court toward the locker room.
Morant returned to sit on the bench, but he did not re-enter the game during the Grizzlies’ 128-112 loss.
“I’m in a good bit of pain,” Morant told reporters after the game. “Feels like it’s one thing after another.”
Morant finished the game with 18 points, six rebounds and two assists.
Davis looked as if he might have sustained an injury to his right arm late in the second quarter. He took a hit to the arm and then said “I can’t move my arm” before exiting the game.
Davis was able to return to start the third quarter and finished with 22 points, 12 rebounds and seven blocked shots.
Antetokounmpo suffered a lower back contusion during the first quarter of the Bucks’ 130-117 loss to the Miami Heat in Game 1 of the team’s first-round playoff series.
Antetokounmpo suffered the injury after driving hard to the basket and crashing into Miami forward Kevin Love, who was attempting to take a charge. Antetokounmpo landed hard on his lower back and writhed in pain.
Love was called for a blocking foul, and Antetokounmpo remained in the game to shoot his free throws before exiting to the Bucks’ locker room. He returned to bench before re-entering the game and tried to play through the injury a few minutes later, but the pain forced him back to the locker room.
The Bucks ruled him out for the remainder of the game with a lower back contusion. He left the game with six points and three rebounds in 11 minutes.
“We have to wait and see what the doctors say. Most importantly, what Giannis says,” Milwaukee coach Mike Budenholzer told reporters after the game. “We’ve been blessed with him being incredibly resilient and quick to heal. You just have to take it day by day.”
Herro suffered a broken bone in his hand while diving for a loose ball. The guard skidded on the court trying to retrieve the basketball ahead of Milwaukee’s Grayson Allen in the backcourt late in the second quarter. Herro grimaced while grabbing his hand.
He stayed in the game and even attempted a 3-point shot just seconds before halftime.
The Heat then announced he had suffered a broken right hand and was out for the remainder of the game.
