The NBA is grappling with an extraordinary wave of injuries during the opening week of the season, leaving players, coaches, and executives searching for explanations. A cascade of significant injuries has already sidelined multiple All-Stars and key contributors, prompting Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka to label the situation "unprecedented" this early in the campaign.
Notable Early-Season Injuries
Among the most severe cases: Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams suffered a broken fibula and dislocated ankle, likely ending his season; Thunder guard Cason Wallace tore his labrum, also likely a season-ending injury; Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards underwent arthroscopic knee surgery and will miss multiple months; Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. tore his MCL, expected out 6-8 weeks; Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero sustained a high ankle sprain, 4-6 weeks; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton and Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren each have hamstring strains, at least two weeks; Orlando guard Jalen Suggs has a knee bone bruise, at least two weeks; and Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard is dealing with knee swelling, multiple weeks. Preseason losses include Ben Simmons (torn Achilles, out for season) and Kon Knueppel (hamstring strain, yet to debut).
Searching for Causes
Kevin Durant, who missed the entire 2019-20 season with an Achilles tear, admitted he has no definitive answer. "Some people say the game is so fast, some people say more possessions, some people say 82 games," Durant said. "It's unfortunate to have so many great players out with injuries, but I can't put my hand on it."
Coaches offer varied theories. Golden State's Steve Kerr has long argued the 82-game schedule is too long. Indiana's Rick Carlisle points to the increased pace of play. Udoka and Milwaukee's Taylor Jenkins question the impact of a shortened training camp and fewer preseason games. "We only had three and some of our guys didn't play in all three," Udoka noted. Jenkins added that league and team staff are "always studying … what we're doing in preseason and the offseason."
Bucks legend Marques Johnson, now a broadcaster, highlighted stylistic changes: "Back in the day, we didn't do the full-speed, hard Euro[step], the deceleration stop … Now it's more prevalent … I think it creates more wear and tear on the lower extremities." He also noted players practice such moves year-round, adding cumulative stress.
Prevention and Resources
Rockets guard Fred VanVleet, who missed last season with a torn ACL and serves as president of the National Basketball Players Association, expressed skepticism about prevention. "There's no prevention. You could look across every league in the world, every age group, this is where we are – in the world, not particular to basketball or the NBA," VanVleet said. However, he emphasized the need for a "real emphasis on player health" and urged the NBA to invest more in science and resources. "It's a multi-billion dollar industry … I think we could pour some more resources and some more science, and I think the NBA should be the leading experts on some of these things." The league had not responded to inquiries about potential injury-prevention measures as of Friday.
