Jazz Will Be Last Team Standing After Injury Bug Plagues NBA Playoffs
It’s been a wild day in the NBA.
First, reports came out early this morning that Chris Paul has contracted COVID-19 and will be out indefinitely.
Breaking: Chris Paul has entered the NBA’s health and safety protocol and is out indefinitely, jeopardizing his availability for the Western Conference Finals.
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 16, 2021
The news was first reported by The Athletic and a source confirmed to ESPN. pic.twitter.com/CiZWw88sp5
Shortly after, news broke seemingly out of left field that Kawhi Leonard has an injury and will miss tonight’s Game 5 against the Jazz. Another report was then released that Leonard may have a torn ACL, which would sideline him for the foreseeable future, let alone the postseason.
Clippers fear All-NBA star Kawhi Leonard has suffered an ACL injury, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. He is out indefinitely.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 16, 2021
This all comes after Kyrie Irving has been out for the Nets with an ankle injury, Joel Embiid is somehow battling through a torn meniscus with the 76ers, and James Harden is playing on one leg with a bum hamstring.
Finally, there was the first round injury to Anthony Davis that contributed to the Lakers being eliminated by the Suns.
With the plethora of injuries that have hit a number of NBA All-Stars in the playoffs, the Utah Jazz all of a sudden look like they have the inside track to win the NBA Championship based on health alone.
Sure, the Jazz are currently without Mike Conley, but as long as Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert can remain healthy, they could be the last team standing in what has turned into a war of attrition.
With the news of Leonard’s injury, the Jazz are now 7-point favorites to win the pivotal Game 5 on Wednesday night. They now sit second on the odds list to win the NBA Championship at +250, so even Vegas thinks the Jazz have the clearest path to the NBA Finals out of the remaining Western Conference teams.
The Suns, who have already advanced to the Western Conference Finals, are sitting below the Jazz on the odds list to win the Championship after the Chris Paul news broke this morning. They currently sit at +450 to win it all.
The Nets still remain as the +175 favorites, which isn’t too surprising after Kevin Durant proved last night that he has the capability to carry the team through the playoffs if he needs to.
Regardless, if the NBA Finals are going to be won by the healthiest team, the Jazz might be on the brink of their first championship in franchise history.