David Chao, MD
2 min read • October 15, 2024
Posted in
Over the past few years, SICscore.com has provided comprehensive coverage of the NBA, offering in-depth analysis and real-time updates on player injuries. As the league continues to evolve, so does their commitment to delivering timely and accurate injury insights throughout the season. With player health being a critical factor in team success, SICscore.com ensures fans, bettors, and analysts stay informed with constant updates. As the 2024-25 NBA season approaches, here are over ten key players facing injury concerns, highlighting the impact these issues may have as the season begins.
Lets leadoff with the newest injury suffered on Oct 14:
Paul George (Philadelphia 76ers) - Sustained a left knee hyperextension in a preseason game on October 15, the start of his season will be in jeopardy but not the entire season, he does have a history of knee injuries so he will be closely monitored
Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks) - Towards the end of the Mavericks deep playoff run last season, Doncic was dealing with ankle, knee and chest injuries, he also played for the Slovenian national team during an Olympic qualifying tournament, while ramping up his workload to ease into the start of the season, Doncic suffered a left calf contusion that will sideline him for a week until he is re-evaluated. He will continue to be heavily monitored.
Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers) - In an effort to be healthier, the oft-injured Joel Embiid stated at the beginning of training camp that he’s lost 25-30lbs this offseason. He missed most of last season with a knee injury to his meniscus sustained on January 30th vs Golden State. Embiid made 39 regular-season appearances last season, the fewest since his rookie campaign, and has never played more than 70 games in his eight-year career.
Kawhi Leonard (Los Angeles Clippers) - Was set to play for USA Basketball in the Olympics in Paris, France when he suddenly pulled himself off the team, it was revealed that he was beginning to once again experience swelling in his knee, at some point in the offseason he underwent a surgical procedure to address the swelling, the specifics of which have not been specified by the Clippers. He will sit out the preseason where the focus of his rehab will be to strengthen the knee, there is optimism that he will be ready for Opening Night, but at this time the timeline is unclear for the oft-injured small forward.
Jimmy Butler (Miami Heat) - Butler suffered a right MCL sprain during Miami's Play-In Game loss to the 76ers, but he had a healthy offseason for the most part, Butler's durability has been a major issue for Miami, as he's missed 20 or more regular-season games three times in the past four seasons, he's been challenged by the team to get back on track, however, and Butler made it clear that he's up to the task.
LaMelo Ball (Charlotte Hornets) - Has had both of the last two season cut short with ankle injuries, in total missing 106 games combined due to injuries to both ankles. Last season he was diagnosed with right ankle tendinopathy. He is expected to be fully healthy to start training camp and is also expected to wear ankle braces this season.
Ja Morant (Memphis Grizzlies) - Last season only saw action in 9 games before sustaining a right Labral tear in his shoulder that required surgery and ended his season, he underwent successful surgery in January to repair the tear, he was cleared for basketball activities in July in accordance with his recovery timeline and has not experienced any setbacks to start training camp.
Zion Williamson (New Orlean Pelicans) - Last season was Zion’s healthiest season as a professional, playing in 70 games at over 30 minutes per game. He sustained a hamstring injury during the NBA Cup tournament in December that cost him some games, but largely was very successful both in health and productivity at 22.9 ppg, 6.4 rpg and 5.2 apg, this offseason he underwent a drastic regimen that has seen come into camp lighter and more muscular, optimism is very high for Zion this season.
Lonzo Ball (Chicago Bulls) - As of early August, he has been playing full-contact 5-on-5 scrimmages and hasn’t faced any setbacks, a massive milestone for Ball. He hasn’t played in an NBA game since Jan 14, 2022, he’s undergone three surgeries on his left knee, he’s undergone an experimental cartilage transplant procedure for a new meniscus, a surgery in which no professional athlete has ever recovered from, but he finally appears to be healthy. The Bulls are planning on bringing him along slowly and might not do 5-on-5 as a precaution, he’s eyeing an opening night return.
Ben Simmons (Brooklyn Nets) - Has had a number of injuries the last two and a half season, mostly concerning his back, in March he underwent a microscopic partial discectomy to alleviate nerve impingement in his lower back, he has been cleared to begin training camp on October 1 with zero restrictions.
Special Consideration:
Ausar Thompson (Detroit Pistons) - The promising rookie had his season cut short a year ago after being diagnosed with blood clots, he is still listed as out to begin training camp, but he has been cleared for conditioning, strength training and non-contact drills, but the forward is still going through a medical process with the NBA's Players Association
Written by David Chao, MD
