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Injuries are a part of any sport. The NBA, however, has been hampered with injuries this season more than past years, and it’s really affected a lot of teams and their outlook on the NBA playoffs. We take a look at the top five injuries and how they’ve affected the playoffs this season.
5. Dwyane Wade SG, Miami Heat
Wade played in 62 out of the possible 82 games this season. He looked good when he did play, but often struggled with injuries as he has his whole career. Wade was able to tough out and play 19 of the final 21 games for the Heat, who were stuck in the seventh seed for most of the season, but couldn’t stay consistent enough to retain their seeding. His absence along with another Heat player later in this gallery is the reason the Heat weren’t able to lock up a playoff seed this year after four consecutive NBA Finals appearances.
Click “Next” to see the fourth injury and the impact it’s had on the Eastern Conference!
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4. Jabari Parker SF, Milwaukee Bucks
Many people seemed to have forgotten that Milwaukee is making a run against the Bulls without their starting small forward and standout rookie Jabari Parker! Parker was just starting to come into his own before suffering a torn ACL that would cut his season short. He averaged 12.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.2 steals in 25 games this season. The Bucks might actually have had an easier series against the Bulls if they had the services of Jabari Parker.
Click “Next” to see the third injury and the impact it’s had on the Eastern Conference!
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3. Paul George SG/SF, Indiana Pacers
Paul George had a gruesome injury in the Team USA scrimmage last summer that resulted in a broken leg. But George worked hard and came back strong to help his team make a push for the playoffs. Indiana reeled off seven straight wins from March through April, but fell a tiebreaker short of making the playoffs.
Click “Next” to see the second injury and the impact it’s had on the Eastern Conference!
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2. Chris Bosh PF/C, Miami Heat
Bosh was poised for a career season as the clear-cut leader of the Heat with LeBron gone and Wade constantly injured. That season was cut short after the All-Star break due to a dangerous blood clot in his lungs. Bosh will return to basketball activities in time for the beginning of training camp, but his absence is the biggest reason why the Heat were unable to reach the playoffs after four consecutive Finals appearances.
Click “Next” to see the number one injury and the impact it’s had on the Eastern Conference!
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1. Kevin Love PF/C, Cleveland Cavaliers
Kevin Love, who appeared in his first NBA playoffs after six seasons on an underachieving team, could miss the rest of the postseason for the Cavs with the injury he sustained against the Celtics in Game 4 this past Sunday. Love was playing a stellar series averaging 18.3 points, nine rebounds, and three assists in the first three games before leaving the fourth game early. Cleveland’s title hopes did take a huge hit as Love is irreplaceable, but the Cavs are still confident in the group of guys they have.