Two key players in top teams return to play after being injured

Two important veterans have become available again this Thursday after spending a long time away from the courts due to physical issues. They are Landry Shamet, with the New York Knicks, and Jerami Grant, with the Portland Trail Blazers, as reported in recent hours.

The Knicks small forward, Landry Shamet, has finally been cleared to return. As reported by Stefan Bondy of The New York Post, Shamet went from being listed as "doubtful" to officially available for Thursday's game in Golden State. New York head coach Mike Brown had already explained last Sunday that the player had been cleared to resume full contact work in the final stage of his recovery from a right shoulder injury suffered on November 22 against Orlando.

Before getting injured, Shamet was playing a significant role in the rotation. In the early stages of the season, he was averaging 9.3 points per game, with an impressive 42.4% accuracy from the three-point line, in 15 games and 20.9 minutes on average. At 28 years old, he is entering his eighth season in the NBA and his second with the New York franchise.

In the Knicks' injury report, Jalen Brunson will not play tonight. However, the right ankle sprain he suffered at the beginning of Wednesday's loss in Sacramento is not serious. According to Bondy, the guard is considered "day to day."

Jerami Grant returns with limited minutes

There is also good news in Portland. Jerami Grant will be back in action this Thursday, as reported by Sean Highkin of The Rose Garden Report. Coach Tiago Splitter confirmed that the power forward, who has missed the last 14 games due to left Achilles tendonitis, will return from the bench with minutes restriction against Atlanta.

Grant, 31 years old, had started the 2025/26 season solidly before the injury, averaging 20 points, 4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 26 games, 14 of them as a starter, and over 30 minutes per game. His shooting percentages were 43.6% from the field, 38.9% from three-point range, and 86.6% from the free-throw line.

Splitter also provided an update on the status of Deni Avdija. The small forward will miss his second consecutive game due to lower back discomfort, but the coach assured that the player "is improving" and the team also considers him day to day. With these returns and positive developments, both the Knicks and Trail Blazers are starting to regain key assets in a demanding stretch of the season.