Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. has been out since early-November after suffering a back injury. Porter had surgery for the injury later that month. At the time, it was assumed Porter would miss the remainder of the season.

Now, it looks like Porter could return for the Nuggets sometime in March. He's moving back to contact workouts next week. That should have him on track to play again this season.

Denver also hopes to get Jamal Murray back at some point next month. The Nuggets have remained in the race for homecourt advantage in the Western Conference playoffs, despite being down two starters for most of the season.

Damian Lillard underwent surgery on an abdominal injury six weeks ago. The Portland Trail Blazers say their star guard has progressed through the initial phase of rehab without any setbacks.

Portland added that Lillard will now move to the reconditioning phase of his rehab process. Lillard will be re-evaluated in two-to-three weeks.

Lillard last played on December 31. He said that advice during the Olympics from Jrue Holiday, who had a similar abdominal injury, convinced him to have the surgery. Lillard said the injury had bothered him on-and-off for nearly seven years.

Draymond Green participated in practice with the Golden State Warriors on Saturday for the first time since January. 

Green did shooting drills, 5-on-0 conditioning and "a lot" of other drill work Saturday.

"My progress has been tremendous," Green said. "I think, where I am today, if you knew where I was eight weeks ago or seven weeks ago, it's night and day."

Green estimated on Feb. 3 that he would return in three to four weeks but said at the All-Star Game on Sunday that it would be another three to four weeks from that point.

"I'm trying to stick to as fast as I can possibly get back," Green said. "From where I am, you feel like it's three weeks or so, but it could be five weeks or so. ... It's no set thing.

"In a week and a half, it could be like my conditioning is at a level, my strength is at a level, my explosiveness is at a level where you can go back out there."

Paul George is "feeling better" and progressing from the torn UCL in his shooting elbow, but will "still need more time" before he plays.

George underwent an MRI on the torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow on Friday. Lue said George is progressing but he remains unsure if he will be able to return this season.

"Just that he feels better, he's making progress," Lue said of an update on George before the Clippers played the Lakers. "But he's gonna need more time."

When asked if there is still a chance for George to return this season, Lue replied, "not sure."

"I mean the biggest thing is he's feeling better," Lue said. "And he's making progress, the MRI revealed, and we just gotta go from there."

"Every competitor wants to play," Lue later added when asked if George is bummed about needing more time. "And so I'm bummed out, too. [But] hope is stronger than fear."

The Brooklyn Nets have yet to set a timetable for Ben Simmons to make his debut for the team as he is dealing with back soreness as part of his reconditioning process.

Simmons hasn't played in a game since Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals in 2021.

The Nets are treating Simmons' condition as a day-to-day process. Simmons may not debut in time to play in Brooklyn's March 10th game at the Philadelphia 76ers. 

Kevin Durant continues to make progress in his rehab from a sprained left MCL and his return to the floor will happen at some point in the next week.

"Every day closer," Nash said after shootaround before Saturday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks. "We'll see. I expect in the next week he'll be back for sure. It could be quick; it could be the whole week barring any setbacks."

Durant has been out since suffered the injury on Jan. 15.

"I think with Kevin he's been a great healer throughout his career," Nash said. "So the No. 1 thing is to get him back healthy and feeling secure in his health and his body so he can move and be free. When he's back, obviously he adds a ton to our team on both ends of the floor ... one of the greatest scorers of all time. And we also know he helps us defensively; he gives us more size and length. So he's a big miss for us, and whenever he gets back, he'll impact our team."

Rajon Rondo will be out approximately two weeks with a right great toe sprain. The injury occurred late in the fourth quarter at Detroit on Thursday.

An MRI administered on Friday at Cleveland Clinic Sports Health confirmed the injury. Rondo will undergo a period of treatment and rehabilitation and his return to play will be updated as appropriate. 

Markelle Fultz will make his return on Monday from a torn left ACL suffered on January 6, 2021.

Fultz signed a three-year, $50 million extension with the Orlando Magic in December 2020. He had been averaging a career-best 14.3 points, along with 3.6 rebounds and 6.1 assists, prior to the injury.

Fultz returned to practice in December. 

Derrick Rose will undergo a minor procedure on his right ankle and will remain out indefinitely.

Rose last played on December 16th when he suffered an ankle injury and underwent surgery.

Miami Heat coach Erick Spoelstra said that Victor Oladipo and Markieff Morris are doing better, but that "There's nothing that's imminent right now" with their returns.

Oladipo has missed the entire season while rehabbing from a leg injury. Oladipo has been rebuilding his strength and mobility. The former All-Star guard recently joined Miami's G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, for practices.

Morris has been out since suffering whiplash when he was pushed to the floor by Nikola Jokic in early-November. Morris has had a history of neck issues in the past, and the altercation with Jokic seems have exacerbated that.

Spoelstra described both players as "doing a lot" in practices, but declined to give specifics. He also said that there continues to be no timetable for a return for either Oladipo or Morris.