Fansided

5 lingering injuries that could impact the NBA playoffs

By Ian Levy

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 06: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers waits for a free throw during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on February 06, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 06: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers waits for a free throw during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on February 06, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 25: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors looks on during the second half of an NBA game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Scotiabank Arena on February 25, 2020 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 25: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors looks on during the second half of an NBA game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Scotiabank Arena on February 25, 2020 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

2. All of the Raptors

The Raptors currently hold a slim margin over the Celtics and Heat for the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. Hanging onto that position will be crucial as there is a fairly significant jump in competitiveness between a first-round series against the Nets or Magic, and one against the Pacers or 76ers. Toronto has some soft games coming up on their schedule but they’ve also lost three of their six games since the All-Star Break.

Currently, Marc Gasol, Fred VanVleet and Serge Ibaka are all listed as day-to-day, nursing hamstring, shoulder and knee injuries. Toronto’s depth has been huge for them this season but their margin for error is small in securing the most advantageous playoff positioning and making good on their surprisingly strong regular season once they get there. They need everyone healthy as soon as possible and staying that way as they try to defend their Eastern Conference crown.

Home/NBA Playoffs