An unprecedented wave of injuries has struck the NBA in the opening week of the season, sidelining numerous stars and prompting players and coaches to search for explanations.
Notable injuries
Among the most significant casualties are Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams, who suffered a broken fibula and dislocated ankle, and Thunder guard Cason Wallace with a torn labrum; both are expected to miss the majority, if not all, of the season. Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards underwent arthroscopic knee surgery and will be out multiple months. Memphis Grizzlies center Jaren Jackson Jr. tore his MCL (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 Magic 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 injuries include Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons, who tore his Achilles tendon and is out for the season, and Duke rookie Kon Knueppel, who strained his hamstring and has yet to debut.
Coaches and veterans weigh in
Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka called the early-season rash "unprecedented." Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr has long argued the 82-game schedule is too long, while Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle points to the increased pace of play. Udoka and Milwaukee Bucks coach Taylor Jenkins questioned 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 said. Jenkins noted that league and team personnel are "always studying … what we're doing in preseason and the offseason."
Former Bucks All-Star Marques Johnson, now a broadcaster, highlighted changes in playing style. "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," Johnson said. He added that players practice such moves year-round, leading to cumulative stress.
Players' association pushes for resources
Rockets guard Fred VanVleet, who missed last season with a torn ACL and serves as president of the National Basketball Players Association, said prevention may be impossible given the physical demands across all levels of sport. 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," VanVleet said. CBS Sports reached out to the league for comment on potential injury-prevention measures but had not received a response as of Friday afternoon.
