NBA Injury Report: Pascal Siakam still out, Keldon Johnson probable and more updates on Gary Payton II and Luke Kennard | November 19, 2022

The Toronto Raptors’ former NBA All-Star Pascal Siakam continues to be on the team’s injury list. He is officially listed out for the game against the Atlanta Hawks tonight. It will be the eighth straight game that Siakam will miss.

The versatile forward suffered an adductor strain in the Raptors' nail-biting loss to the Dallas Mavericks last November 5. Coach Nick Nurse later informed the media that Siakam will be out for at least two weeks.

Pascal Siakam hasn’t faced any setbacks in his rehabilitation. He is reportedly already involved in on-court activities. The Raptors will have him re-evaluated in about a week. Nurse has been using Thaddeus Young and Juancho Hernangomez to take Siakam’s place.

Toronto has held up fairly well amid a spate of injuries. They are 4-3 since Siakam went down with an injury. “Spicy P” has been playing better this season than his 2019-20 campaign when he made the NBA All-Star team before the unfortunate injury. The Raptors are eagerly awaiting his return.

Meanwhile, Keldon Johnson, the San Antonio Spurs’ leading scorer, could return after missing the team’s last game against the Sacramento Kings. Johnson was a game-time decision heading into that match but was eventually a late scratch.

The Spurs have officially listed him as probable, which makes it more likely that he will play tonight against the LA Clippers.

After a hot start where they surprised the NBA, the San Antonio Spurs have sunk back to the ground. They started 5-2 and have since gone 1-8. Keldon Johnson, though, is not the reason for the Spurs’ struggles.

He is averaging a career-high in scoring with 22.7 points and he’s hitting a career-best 42.3% of his three-point shots. If Johnson continues at this pace, he will be a legitimate contender for the NBA’s Most Improved Player of the Year award.

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Gary Payton II: Core muscle recovery; Injured since the offseason

The Portland Trail Blazers are still waiting for Gary Payton II's debut.

The NBA’s most surprising team this season, the Portland Trail Blazers, expected Gary Payton II to be back last November 15. He, however, experienced a setback while ramping up his conditioning, which pushed his comeback to at least two more weeks.

“The Young Glove” has reportedly been feeling sporadic soreness in his abdomen as he worked out to reach game shape. Portland will have him re-evaluated in two weeks as he continues his rehab.

The Blazers lead the Western Conference standings with a 10-5 record behind the exploits of Damian Lillard, Jerami Grant and Anfernee Simons. Portland's explosive offense hasn’t overwhelmed opponents during their surprising start.

It has been the Blazers’ defense, even without Gary Payton II, that has made them tough to beat. Payton II’s championship-level defense will only bolster that side of the ball for coach Chauncey Billups.

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Luke Kennard: Right calf strain; Injured since November 15, 2022

Luke Kennard led the NBA in three-point efficiency last season.

Luke Kennard, who led the NBA in three-point shooting percentage last season, will miss another game for the LA Clippers. The Clippers shooting guard has been dealing with a right calf strain in their loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night.

Coach Ty Lue has been utilizing Kennard as the starting shooting guard while Kawhi Leonard has played a bench role. With the return of Leonard and with a healthy Paul George, “Cool Hand Luke” will resume his backup duties when he comes back.

Kennard’s injury is reportedly not serious and could be available for the Clippers against the Utah Jazz on Monday.