The Sacramento Kings and Atlanta Hawks released their respective injury reports ahead of their Eastern Conference Semifinals series opener Tuesday in Atlanta, and two major stars have been ruled out for Game 1.
Chicago Bulls medical staff cleared DeMar DeRozan to play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals Monday versus the Milwaukee Bucks after the five-time All-Star missed the final three games of the first round versus the Brooklyn Nets due to a strained right quadriceps.
DeRozan, averaging 26.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.3 steals per game this postseason, was injured during the third quarter of Game 1 versus the Nets and did not return.
The veteran forward is expected to be available for Game 1 of the second round as the top-seeded Bulls host the eighth-seeded Bucks on Monday. Neither team has released an injury report ahead of their series opener, but reigning league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to play after missing the final two games of the first round due to a sprained right ankle.
Atlanta Hawks star Dejounte Murray is questionable for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals Tuesday versus the Philadelphia 76ers due to a left ankle sprain, the team announced Sunday.
Murray, acquired via trade from the San Antonio Spurs in the offseason, is averaging 21.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 9.2 assists, and 2.0 steals per game this postseason.
The 26-year-old has been dealing with the ankle injury since the first round versus the Miami Heat, but he has played through the pain and has not missed a game. However, he is questionable for Game 1 versus the 76ers, who have been dealing with injuries to their own backcourt.
Tyrese Maxey is expected to miss Game 1 with a fractured left foot, while James Harden is questionable with a hamstring injury.
