Which NBA Teams Are Most Impacted by Injuries?
Injuries have always been a significant part of sports. Football is known for its brutality, and fans often witness gruesome injuries watching the sport. However, according to numerous studies, basketball leads to the most injuries. Injuries are prevalent at the professional level, as National Basketball Association players play a grueling 82-game schedule and over 110 if you include the playoffs. Many players are dealing with injuries as the 2023-24 season kicks off. Here are a few examples as we evaluate the impact on each team.
Los Angeles Clippers | Kawhi Leonard and Paul George
Kawhi Leonard is a two-time NBA champion and was named NBA Finals MVP in both of those titles. He is a five-time All-Star, a five-time All-NBA selection, and a seven-time All-Defensive player. When healthy, Leonard is one of the best players in basketball.
His teammate, Paul George, is an eight-time All-Star and six-time All-NBA selection in his own right. Expectations shot through the roof when the two teamed up with the Clippers in 2019-20 on four-year, $176 million deals. Evaluating basketball odds at BETMGM, Los Angeles has been a favorite since the two joined forces. However, those expectations haven’t been met thanks to injuries.
Leonard has yet to play at least 60 games in a single season for the Clippers and missed all of 2021-22 with an ACL injury, while George has also never reached the 60-game mark and has only played a 50-game season twice in his four seasons. As a result, the Clippers have reached the Western Conference Finals just once with the duo and haven’t made it further than the first round in the past two seasons. No team enters 2023-24 with more injury questions than the Clippers, with Leonard still dealing with a right knee injury that knocked him out of the postseason last year.
Los Angeles Lakers | LeBron James and Anthony Davis
Ironically, the Clippers’ main question mark is the exact same question mark as their co-tenants. However, unlike the Clippers, the Lakers have found significant success when healthy, including a championship in 2020.
LeBron James is entering his 21st season and has failed to appear in at least 60 games in four of his five seasons with the Lakers. Similarly, Anthony Davis has struggled to stay on the court since joining forces with LeBron, continuing his injury woes that began in his days with New Orleans.
When healthy, the Lakers are a threat, making the Western Conference Finals last season. However, significant questions loom around LeBron’s ability to stay healthy in his age-39 season and Davis’ health outright, even as the team remains optimistic.
New Orleans Pelicans | Zion Williamson
Zion Williamson’s career has been chaotic. The first overall selection in the 2019 draft, Williamson was one of the most hyped NBA prospects in recent memory, known for his alien-like size, speed, and athleticism. However, a lack of commitment to his craft, off-court distractions, and difficulty staying in shape have plagued his first four seasons. Zion has played only one season as an NBA player due to his injury issues.
In that season, Zion was electric, averaging 27 points and seven rebounds and making his first all-star team. But a foot injury that caused him to miss all of 2021-22 derailed that progress. There is a lot of drama surrounding Zion and his current team after an offseason filled with trade rumors. Many question his commitment to basketball. However, the most significant barrier to New Orleans’ success is Zion’s health.
Oklahoma City | Chet Holmgren and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
The 2022-23 Oklahoma City Thunder were one of the season’s most surprising teams. Led by budding superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and missing Chet Holmgren, the second-overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft, the Thunder finished 40-42 behind an explosive offense. Oklahoma City was the youngest team in basketball and nearly made the playoffs despite Holmgren missing the entire season due to a Lisfranc injury in his foot.
Gilgeous-Alexander also enters the season with some injury issues, suffering a knee contusion that caused him to miss preseason action. However, the main concern lies with Holmgren, whose main doubt entering the league was his skinny frame. The questions surrounding Holmgren’s durability and ability to endure the physicality of the NBA still linger as he has yet to play in his first NBA game.
Miami Heat | Tyler Herro
The Heat were dealt a huge blow this offseason when superstar point guard Damian Lillard landed with the Bucks instead of in South Beach. The Easter Conference has only improved, making it an uphill battle for Miami and Jimmy Butler, a team that has dramatically overachieved since Butler arrived, making two Finals appearances.
Lillard’s move to Milwaukee makes Tyler Herro all the more critical. Herro suffered a broken hand in the playoff opener against the Bucks, forcing him to miss the entire postseason and watch as the Heat made it all the way to the finals. Herro is Miami’s best scoring option aside from Butler and is a shooter on a team without many shooters. The Heat need Herro to recover from his injury. More importantly, however, they need his production to take another step forward.
Looking to the Future
NBA teams are gearing up for another season, and injuries are the most unpredictable part of any season. These teams may be more anxious than most — but avid football fans should look out for other franchises that could join this list as the season begins.
