NBA Injury Report Week 9 (16th Dec): Update on Luka Doncic's injury, Isaiah Thomas set to return and more

The 2019-20 NBA season is well underway, and teams are facing a busy schedule over the next two weeks as we approach the turn of the year. As always, plenty of teams are currently without key players, and here we will take a look at all the latest NBA injury updates you need to know heading into Week 9 of the season.

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#1 Luka Doncic - Ankle - Could miss two weeks

Luka Doncic was injured just minutes into Dallas' defeat to the Heat

Luka Doncic left the court just two minutes into Dallas' 122-118 loss to the Miami Heat on Saturday after suffering a right ankle sprain. Evidently, the Mavericks are eager to get their MVP candidate back on the court as soon as possible, and while ESPN is reporting that there will be no further update until Wednesday, Doncic is expected to miss the next two weeks.

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#2 Eric Gordon - Knee - Could return later this month

Eric Gordon has missed more than a month due to a knee injury

Eric Gordon struggled during the early weeks of the season, and the 30-year-old eventually underwent surgery on his right knee on November 11. The Rockets man was initially ruled out for six weeks, and The Atheltic's Kelly Iko is reporting that the veteran remains on track to return during the final week of December.

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#3 Victor Oladipo - Quad - No return date set

Victor Oladipo has missed almost a year due to a ruptured quad tendon

Victor Oladipo has not played since Jan.23 after rupturing the quad tendon in his right knee against the Toronto Raptors. The 27-year-old has stepped up his recovery in recent weeks after being assigned to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, although Pacers coach Nate McMillan has warned fans to remain patient as Indiana's star man 'won't be back anytime in the near future'.

McMillan on Oladipo: "Vic is still rehabbing. He’s working hard and I think he’s certainly getting better, getting closer. But he’s still a ways away. The more time he spends rehabbing the closer he gets. But I don’t see him come back anytime in the near future" #Pacers

— J. Michael (@ThisIsJMichael) December 11, 2019

#4 Otto Porter Jr. - Foot - Out until January

Otto Porter Jr. won't play again this year due to a foot injury

Otto Porter Jr. has played just nine times this season due to a foot injury, although the 26-year-old was believed to be closing in on a return. Nevertheless, the Chicago Bulls announced last week that Porter will miss at least another month due to a small fracture in his foot.

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#5 Eric Bledsoe - Leg - Out for two weeks

Eric Bledsoe will be absent for the Bucks

Eric Bledsoe has been a key force behind Milwaukee's 18-game winning run, although the guard is set for a spell on the sidelines due to a leg injury. The veteran underwent an MRI on his leg towards the end of last week, and is now expected to be out for around two weeks.

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#6 P.J. Washington - Hand - Out until Christmas

P.J. Washington will miss the Hornets next four games with the injury

Charlotte rookie P.J. Washington injured his hand during last Friday's game against the Chicago Bulls, and the Hornets have since announced that Washington fractured a finger. The injury is not thought to be too serious, although ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that the 21-year-old will be out until Christmas.

Charlotte Hornets rookie F P.J. Washington is expected to be sidelined through Christmas with fractured finger, league sources tell ESPN. The Hornets play five games in that stretch. He's averaged 12.3 points and 5.3 rebounds.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 14, 2019

#7 Isaiah Thomas - Calf - Expected to return on Monday

Injuries have restricted Isaiah Thomas to 17 appearances this season

Isaiah Thomas has not played for the past two weeks due to a calf injury, and the Wizards have been left short at point guard over the five games that Thomas has missed. Nevertheless, Fred Katz of The Athletic is reporting that the Wizards expect the 30-year-old to return for Monday's game against the Pistons.

Moe Wagner (ankle) is “most likely out” for tomorrow in Detroit, Scott Brooks says. He didn’t practice today. There’s a “really good chance” Isaiah Thomas (calf) returns against the Pistons, per Brooks.

— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) December 15, 2019

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#8 Austin Rivers - Finger - Should play on Monday

Austin Rivers isn't expected to miss time despite injuring his finger

Austin Rivers sprained his finger during Houston's surprise defeat to the Pistons on Saturday. However, the veteran is listed as a probable for the Rockets' game against San Antonio on Monday night, and the injury isn't expected to be a problem for him going forward.

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#9 Jae Crowder - Ankle - Expected to return this week

Jae Crowder missed Memphis' win over the Wizards due to an ankle injury

Jae Crowder injured his ankle during Memphis' loss to Milwaukee on Friday, and the 29-year-old was forced to sit out of their win against the Wizards on Sunday. However, while Crowder is also questionable for Monday night's game against the Heat due to ankle soreness, he is expected to return at some point this week.