Not even a month into the 2024-25 NBA season, star players are going down left and right. That doesn’t even include players that were already expected to miss the beginning portion of the season.
(Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
Everyone can see it in real time, but there doesn’t seem to be any concrete solutions to this emerging problem.
Last week we touched on
big item problems
that currently plague the National Basketball Association (Load Management, Pricing Fans Out, Poor Viewing Experience, 3-Point Shooting Craze, etc.), but the NBA has another pressing issue on its hands.
The league is seeing a wrath of injuries and many of them to its star players. This one affects the league right now and its desirability as a spectator sport down the line.
NBA Stars Unavailable
Former NBA commissioner David Stern helped take the game to new heights by highlighting and using the media to promote star players. Unlike MLB (where a team’s fortunes can drastically change depending on the pitcher) or the NFL (where rosters are 55 players deep and it takes a lot of moving parts to create a winning team), the fortunes of an NBA team can change based on the availability of a superstar player.
It’s a reason why NBA free agency is so vital or when a star player gets traded, it’s such big news. Franchises’ fortunes can change in an instant based on an addition, and on the flip side, an injury, to a star player.
New Policy In Place
In order to work on the NBA’s Load Management issue, the NBA's Player Participation Policy was implemented prior to the beginning of the 2023-24 season.
- It stated teams must justify the rest of any of its star players
- It is also doesn’t allow for multiple stars players to sit out of the same game without a viable and reported injury
- As part of the policy, there is now a 65-game requirement for post-season awards
That could potentially mean real value to the players in terms of bonus salary for contractual thresholds met.
Who’s A Star Player?
The NBA defines a star player (per its new policy) as someone who has made an All-Star or All-NBA team in the last three seasons. Under that definition there are 49 such players currently in the NBA. As of now, nearly 40 percent of those labeled star players have missed games and it’s a trend fans are talking about and the media is tracking.
Injury Epidemic or Something Else?
Under the first season of the new policy, it looked like the Load Management issue was on its way to resolution, as a vast majority of players’ deemed stars participated in the opening games of the inaugural in-season tournament, now known as the Emirates NBA Cup. It was fun while it lasted, but as the season wore on star players were once again missing games in droves.
- The first in-season tourney was won by the L.A. Lakers, who fell in the first round of the post-season to the Denver Nuggets.
Current NBA commissioner Adam Silver has sought innovative ways to make the regular season more meaningful, but as the second Emirates NBA Cup tipped-off on Tuesday, it remains to be seen if the cup’s honeymoon period is now over. If early season reports with regards to attendance and fan viewership are any indication, it doesn’t look promising.
NBA 2024-25 Early Season Injuries Summary
- Total Players Out:
76
- Total Players Day-To-Day:
34
| Team |
Injury Status |
| Atlanta Hawks |
Out: 6, Day-To-Day: 1 |
| Boston Celtics |
Out: 2, Day-To-Day: 0 |
| Brooklyn Nets |
Out: 4, Day-To-Day: 1 |
| Chicago Bulls |
Out: 4, Day-To-Day: 3 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers |
Out: 3, Day-To-Day: 2 |
| Dallas Mavericks |
Out: 2, Day-To-Day: 0 |
| Denver Nuggets |
Out: 2, Day-To-Day: 0 |
| Detroit Pistons |
Out: 2, Day-To-Day: 1 |
| Golden State Warriors |
Out: 1, Day-To-Day: 0 |
| Houston Rockets |
Out: 2, Day-To-Day: 2 |
| Indiana Pacers |
Out: 3, Day-To-Day: 1 |
| LA Clippers |
Out: 2, Day-To-Day: 0 |
| Los Angeles Lakers |
Out: 3, Day-To-Day: 3 |
| Memphis Grizzlies |
Out: 4, Day-To-Day: 3 |
| Miami Heat |
Out: 2, Day-To-Day: 0 |
| Milwaukee Bucks |
Out: 3, Day-To-Day: 3 |
| New Orleans Pelicans |
Out: 5, Day-To-Day: 0 |
| New York Knicks |
Out: 2, Day-To-Day: 1 |
| Oklahoma City Thunder |
Out: 3, Day-To-Day: 0 |
| Orlando Magic |
Out: 2, Day-To-Day: 1 |
| Philadelphia 76ers |
Out: 1, Day-To-Day: 0 |
| Phoenix Suns |
Out: 4, Day-To-Day: 1 |
| Portland Trail Blazers |
Out: 3, Day-To-Day: 1 |
| Sacramento Kings |
Out: 1, Day-To-Day: 0 |
| San Antonio Spurs |
Out: 3, Day-To-Day: 1 |
| Toronto Raptors |
Out: 4, Day-To-Day: 1 |
| Utah Jazz |
Out: 3, Day-To-Day: 1 |
| Washington Wizards |
Out: 2, Day-To-Day: 2 |
*Data as of November 13th
Not Trusting The Process
Philadelphia 76ers’ star center Joel Embiid made his season debut on November 12, but if there is a lightning rod player for the Load Management and injury crisis, it’s the embattled big man.
The Philadelphia big man is a vital cog to a franchise that has championship aspirations and we projected to win 52 regular season games. Embiid, however, has played in one and all-star forward Paul George in four of the team’s 10 games so far.
Not surprisingly, the 76ers have limped to a 2-8 mark after opening NBA Cup group play with a 111-99 loss to the New York Knicks.
Earlier this season, Embiid publicly stated he likely won’t be playing in back-to-back games for the rest of his career and that didn’t go over too well with fans and the media. The fallout from that?
Embiid got into a physical altercation with Marcus Hayes of the Philadelphia Inquirer, who questioned the legitimacy of his injury status. It was announced last Tuesday Nov. 5, Embiid was suspended three games for the incident.
Tyrese Maxey's hamstring injury highlights ongoing health issues
If that was not an indication there is not only an injury problem, but a public perception problem, with regards to the injuries and load management, there never will be a warning of what could happen if these issues and perceptions are not resolved.
To add insult to injury, it was announced on Nov. 7 that 76ers star guard Tyrese Maxey is out for weeks with a hamstring injury.
Injuries are part of a contact sport, but losing the public’s trust is a whole other animal that is not hard to come back from. If this health crisis is not averted, it will eventually turn into a long-term economic issue for the league.
NBA M.A.S.H. Units
In addition to Maxey, here is a quick rundown of key injuries to contending teams. It’s not just the stars (as the NBA labels them) but up-and-coming stars who are difference-makers to winning or losing.
Zion Williamson (New Orleans Pelicans):
Similar to Maxey, the oft-injured forward is now out indefinitely with a left hamstring strain. Williamson’s health and weight has been an issue since he entered the league. We projected the Pelicans to win 46 games and right now they are 3-8.
Pelicans’ Woes
The Pelicans’ Dejounte Murray is out 4-6 weeks, fellow guard C.J. McCollum will miss 2-3 weeks with a right adductor strain and on Tuesday it was announced Jose Alvarado is out at least three weeks with a hamstring strain.
What is it with hamstring injuries this season? The Pelicans can barely field a functional team right now, much less a contending one, as guard Jordan Hawkins and forward Hebert Jones are also out for short periods of time.
Ja Morant (Memphis Grizzlies)
The star guard and one of the league’s most entertaining players is out with a hip injury, it was announced on Nov. 9. Morant’s status is week-to-week and the Grizzlies are currently 7-4. Morant missed a majority of last season due to injury and suspension and is a player fans want to see at every stop.
Kevin Durant (Phoenix Suns)
The future hall of famer has helped the Suns to a 9-2 mark to keep pace with the Oklahoma City Thunder, but on Nov. 9 it was reported he would be out at least two weeks with a calf strain.
Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Our 2021 Mr. Basketball USA as the high school national player of the year was already projected to be a star, but he missed his entire first season due to injury. He helped Oklahoma City to a 9-2 start to tie with the Suns for first place in the
Western Conference
standings, but during Sunday’s loss to the resurgent Golden State Warriors Holmgren was injured on a contact play at the rim with Andrew Wiggins.
He fell on his hip and he’s reported to be out at least 8-10 weeks with a hip fracture. It’s a stunning blow to a team and fan base eager to see OKC contend for an NBA title.
Paolo Banchero (Orlando Magic)
We projected the Orlando Magic to win 48 games, but they’ll need a healthy Banchero to do that. The budding star and No. 1 pick of the 2022 NBA Draft is out 4-6 weeks with a right torn oblique. The Magic are currently 6-6.
Scottie Barnes (Toronto Raptors)
The young star forward is out with an orbital fracture. It won’t require surgery but without him the Raptors are struggling big-time after there was some hope they could be a sneaky playoff team if things went right. After a loss to the lowly Bucks on Tuesday, Toronto is the worst team in the
Eastern Conference
(record wise) at 2-10.
Will Teams Start Tanking?
The above is a snapshot of the injury report less than a month into the season. That doesn’t include star players such as the Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard (has not played), the Warriors’ Steph Curry (missed three games) or the Celtics’ Jaylen Brown (out for games) and other stars who missed some time. The 76ers, Bucks and Pelicans all have lofty aspirations, and nobody is accusing them of tanking based on their roster makeup. For fans, especially those of the Pelicans, what’s currently transpiring doesn’t sit well with them.
At what point will this be a lost season for the Pelicans? Is it insane to think in that manner and it’s not even Thanksgiving? That’s the reality of the current
NBA
and its load management culture that has created that line of thinking.
Jeff Stotts of
In Street Clothes
might track this type of information better than anyone in basketball. According to his data as reported by multiple outlets, games missed are up 35 percent compared to the same time in the 2023-24 season.
For in-depth coverage on NBA and other league player health and league updates, check out
Ballislife Betting News.
What Can Be Done?
The data presented above is noticeable and a major problem for fans and the league alike. Fans are already dealing with the inflation issue the nation’s economy has faced in recent years and asking them to buy a ticket when there is a good chance a star player or two will be out is an issue that needs to be tackled league wide.
The first thing the NBA needs to realize is it needs to keep the public’s trust. The Embiid incident should be seen as a warning shot. It’s not a good look if the media is openly questioning the integrity of an injury. The NBA doesn’t want that type of questioning to spread.
There are many theories on the recent rash of injuries, but no scientific data or proven cause to back it up. Some point to players’ routine on game-day and in-season workout regimes as a problem. Others point to the lack of interior play that forces players to run and chase 3-point shooters all game long.
Others believe it’s a cultural problem that begins before the players reach the NBA in terms of playing through pain and looking to preserve the body for optimal peak performance down the line.
NBA’s Future at Risk if Effort and Health Aren't Prioritized
The way it stands now, viewership is lagging compared to previous levels and efforts to set gambling lines for games down the line and for individual player props in a timely fashion is problematic. It makes fans, and bettors alike, look for alternatives or turn to other sports.
The league and its players need to realize giving 100 percent effort is what will make the league a viable product long-term. Players are not dumb; they know what they can get away with in terms of effort and performance. But there will be a tipping point if the current injury trends continue and nothing serious is done about it.
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