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We are well past the halfway point of the 2019-20 NBA season and teams in both conferences are battling it out to secure one of the final playoff spots. As always, the relentless schedule means that several notable names around the league are sidelined by injuries, and here we will take a look at all the latest updates you need to know heading into Week 17 of the season.
#1 Luka Doncic - Ankle - Could return ahead of the All-Star break
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Luka Doncic has missed the last week after spraining his ankle during a collision with a teammate in practice. It was initially reported that the injury could be serious enough keep Doncic out of the All-Star Game, although the Mavs now believe that the 20-year-old could return at some point this week - and he will almost certainly be present in Chicago this weekend.
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#2 Kyrie Irving - Knee - Could return on Wednesday
Kyrie Irving has struggled with injuries for much of the season, and the point guard has missed the past week due to a knee injury. Irving won't return for Brooklyn's clash with the Pacers on Monday, although the Nets believe that the 27-year-old could feature on Wednesday.
#3 Zion Williamson - Ankle - Expected to return on Tuesday
Zion Williamson missed New Orleans' win over the Indiana Pacers on Saturday due to a left ankle sprain. Nevertheless, Williamson appears set for a swift return to the court as ESPN's Andrew Lopez is reporting that 19-year-old is expected to return for Tuesday's game against the Trail Blazers.
#4 Steph Curry - Hand - Aiming to return in March
Steph Curry hasn't played for the Warriors since breaking his hand back in late October. However, Curry has stepped up his return over the past few weeks, and the point guard has revealed that he is targeting the first week of March to make his return.
#5 Jimmy Butler - Shoulder - Expected to return this week
Jimmy Butler has missed Miami's last two games after injuring his shoulder during the loss to the Clippers on Wednesday. Nevertheless, Butler's MRI scan came back clean, and the veteran should make his return this week ahead of the All-Star break.
#6 Draymond Green - Back - Expected to play on Monday
Draymond Green missed Golden State's defeat to the Lakers on Saturday due to a back issue. However, Green appears set for a swift return to the court after being removed from the injury report, and the 29-year-old could feature against the Heat on Monday.
#7 Kris Dunn - Knee - Out until at least next week
Kris Dunn suffered a right knee injury back on Jan. 31 after a freak collision with Thad Young. The 25-year-old was initially listed as being out indefinitely, although the Bulls provided an update last week revealing that Dunn would be reexamined following an initial two-week phase - and could return following the All-Star break.
#8 Jaylen Brown - Ankle - Could be shut down until after the All-Star break
Jaylen Brown injured his left ankle during Boston's narrow win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday. The 23-year-old was already questionable heading into the game due to an injury to his right ankle, and Brown could now be shut down until after the All-Star break.
#9 Jabari Parker - Shoulder - Could return this week
The Sacramento Kings acquired Jabari Parker at the trade deadline - although the 24-year-old has missed the past 19 games due to a shoulder injury. Nevertheless, the forward has been upgraded to questionable for Monday's game against the Bucks, and Parker is expected to make his debut for his new team ahead of the All-Star break.
