The NBA season is heating up as we get closer to the playoffs. And now, more than ever, player injuries are becoming very important for teams. The same goes for bettors, especially those who love to make NBA prop bets. So when you learn how to be a bookie, you need to know the importance of staying updated about high-performing players in the league. Today, we’ll take a look at the latest NBA Injury update featuring an old injury- and when he will come back, and a new injury, and how long until he comes back.
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NBA Injury Update: Kawhi Leonard
Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard is targeting a January 4 return against the Atlanta Hawks, marking his first appearance of the season after battling right knee inflammation. Head coach Tyronn Lue has confirmed that while Leonard has participated in full-contact 5-on-5 practices since December 18, the team wants to see him engage in additional scrimmages before returning to game action.
If Leonard returns as planned against the Hawks, he will have missed the first 34 games of the 2024-25 season. The team’s cautious approach stems from their experience last season, when Leonard played in 68 of their first 74 games before missing the final eight regular-season contests due to knee inflammation.
Team president Lawrence Frank had previously noted that while the swelling in Leonard’s knee had largely subsided, the team was prioritizing a careful return-to-play protocol. If you want to know more about how you can improve the efficiency of your NBA sportsbook, this What is a Pay Per Head software guide will help you.
NBA Injury Update: Luka Doncic
Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic will be sidelined for at least a month with a left calf strain suffered during Wednesday night’s loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The injury happened when Doncic drove against Timberwolves defender Jaden McDaniels. The All-Star guard abruptly stopped his dribble and passed the ball out before leaving the game in visible pain. Medical evaluation later confirmed the calf strain.
The absence of Doncic deals a significant blow to the Mavericks, who currently hold the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference with a 19-11 record. The timing is particularly critical as the team is far from having an easy race in the Western Conference.
Beyond the immediate impact on Dallas’s playoff positioning, the injury effectively ends Doncic’s chances of qualifying for the NBA’s major awards this season. Under the league’s new eligibility rules requiring 65 games played, Doncic — who has already missed eight games — will no longer be able to contend for MVP honors or All-NBA team selection. While the Slovenian superstar has yet to win an MVP award, he has consistently been among the league’s top candidates throughout his career. If you want to earn from NBA MVP betting, learn how to be a bookie and get started before the year ends.
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