5 players who could return from injury and impact the NBA Playoffs (assuming they happen)

It’s unknown when — or if — the NBA Playoffs will occur, but the return of these five players from injury would bode well for their respective teams.

The NBA season has been suspended for just over a month and there aren’t any signs that it will be returning anytime soon. However, that hasn’t stopped the league and its leaders from discussing return options and timelines. As of this writing, league commissioner Adam Silver has said that a decision on the continuation of the NBA season will not be able to be made until at least May 1, though jumping right into the playoffs — after a “ramp-up” period — probably makes the most sense.

With that in mind, here are five players who were injured prior to the NBA shutting down who could likely return and have an impact on how the playoffs unfold.

5. Jaylen Brown — Boston Celtics

Jaylen Brown suffered a grade 1 strain of his right hamstring one week prior to the NBA suspending action due to the COVID-19 outbreak. At the time of injury, Brown was expected to be sidelined for one week and make a full recovery. Suffice it to say that Brown’s injury has likely fully healed at this point.

The main concern the Celtics and their faithful may have, however, is in regard to the likelihood that this injury may repeat itself once — or if — games resume. Muscle strains, particularly of the hamstring, can be troublesome, but with proper treatment, training and a ramp-up period prior to returning to play, a flare-up should be able to be avoided.

Brown had been in the midst of a career-year when the NBA season was indefinitely suspended on March 11, averaging career-highs in points (20.4 per game), effective field goal percentage (55.9 percent), true shooting percentage (58.9 percent), rebounds (6.4 per game), and assists (2.2 per game).