2026 NBA Injury Roundup: Anthony Edwards, Chet Holmgren, Ja Morant and Other Stars Sidelined

Several of the NBA's biggest names are dealing with significant injuries early in the 2026-27 season, with Oklahoma City particularly hard hit and multiple All-Stars facing extended recovery timelines

The 2026-27 NBA season is only a few weeks old, but injuries have already become a major storyline across the league, with several All-Stars and key contributors facing extended absences, including Anthony Edwards, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams and Ja Morant, while other prominent players are dealing with injuries that could impact their availability throughout November

The Oklahoma City Thunder have been hit particularly hard, losing multiple rotation players to significant injuries, while Minnesota, Orlando, Portland and several other teams are navigating their own setbacks, here is a look at the biggest injury situations across the NBA entering November

Oklahoma City Thunder

Jalen Williams — Left Ankle Dislocation and Fibula Fracture

Williams suffered a dislocated left ankle and fractured fibula in late October, requiring surgery and putting the remainder of his season in jeopardy, the combination of a fracture and dislocation makes this a particularly serious injury, with recovery dependent on bone healing, ligament stability and restoration of strength and mobility, Oklahoma City has not established a firm return date, with Williams not expected to be reevaluated until later in the season

Chet Holmgren — Patellar Tendon Injury

Holmgren is expected to miss approximately eight to ten weeks after undergoing a biological treatment procedure for a patellar tendon tear in his right knee, the injury presents a significant challenge for the Thunder big man, as the patellar tendon plays an important role in jumping, landing and explosive movements, his recovery will depend on tendon healing and a gradual return to basketball activity, with the current timeline pointing toward a potential return around the beginning of 2027

Cason Wallace — Left Shoulder Labrum Tear

Wallace underwent surgery after suffering a torn labrum in his left shoulder, an injury that could sideline him for a significant portion of the season, the labrum helps stabilize the shoulder joint, making strength and stability particularly important for a guard who regularly absorbs contact and contests shots, his recovery will depend on the extent of the damage and surgical repair, with no firm return date established

Minnesota Timberwolves

Anthony Edwards — Knee Surgery

Edwards underwent knee debridement surgery and is expected to miss approximately six to eight weeks, a significant setback for Minnesota and one of the NBA's premier scoring guards, the procedure is intended to address damaged or irritated tissue within the knee, with recovery dependent on controlling swelling, restoring strength and regaining explosive movement, his ability to accelerate, cut and elevate without discomfort will be important factors before returning to game action, with a potential return targeted for late December

Portland Trail Blazers

Ja Morant — Grade 2 Left Hamstring Strain

Morant suffered a Grade 2 left hamstring strain in late October and is expected to miss at least four weeks, the injury is particularly concerning given his explosive playing style, as acceleration, sudden changes of direction and repeated sprinting place considerable stress on the hamstring, a Grade 2 strain involves a partial tear of the muscle fibers and carries a risk of aggravation if a player returns before adequate healing, making his progression through running and basketball activities important to monitor

Orlando Magic

Paolo Banchero — Right High Ankle Sprain

Banchero suffered a right high ankle sprain in late October, with an estimated recovery period of four to six weeks, high ankle sprains involve the ligaments connecting the tibia and fibula above the ankle joint and typically require longer recovery periods than conventional lateral ankle sprains, his ability to push off, change directions and absorb contact will be important benchmarks before returning, with Orlando facing a significant absence for one of its primary offensive contributors

Jalen Suggs — Right Knee Bone Bruise

Suggs suffered a right knee injury during Orlando's October 25 matchup against the Knicks, with an MRI revealing a mild bone bruise but no additional structural damage, the Magic announced a two-week reevaluation timeline, putting a potential return in early-to-mid November, while the absence of ligament or meniscus damage is encouraging, pain management and his ability to tolerate basketball activity will be important factors in determining his availability

Utah Jazz

Jaren Jackson Jr. — Right Knee MCL Tear

Jackson suffered a torn MCL in his right knee and is expected to miss approximately six to eight weeks, the medial collateral ligament provides stability along the inside of the knee and is particularly important during lateral movement and defensive positioning, recovery depends on the severity of the tear and whether additional structures are involved, with Jackson needing to regain stability and confidence in the knee before returning to full basketball activity

Los Angeles Clippers

Brandon Ingram — Right Achilles Injury

Ingram remains sidelined after undergoing surgery to address a partially torn right Achilles tendon, following an earlier heel procedure in May, the former All-Star has been progressing through rehabilitation and has participated in a G League assignment as part of his return process, Achilles injuries can be particularly challenging for players who rely on explosive movements and elevation, making his ability to tolerate increased basketball activity an important factor before returning to the Clippers lineup

Toronto Raptors

Kawhi Leonard — Knee Injury

Leonard is dealing with another knee issue, adding to an extensive injury history that has repeatedly impacted his availability throughout his career, the former Finals MVP has previously dealt with significant knee problems, making any new setback worth monitoring closely, the severity of the current issue and its relationship to his previous injuries remain important questions, with his practice participation and response to increased activity likely to determine his return timeline

Indiana Pacers

Tyrese Haliburton — Left Hamstring Strain

Haliburton suffered a left hamstring strain in late October and has been sidelined since, with an initial recovery timeline of at least two weeks, hamstring injuries can be difficult to manage for guards who rely on acceleration and sudden changes of direction, particularly because returning before full recovery can increase the risk of reinjury, Indiana will need to monitor his progress through running, cutting and full-speed basketball activity before clearing him to return

Sacramento Kings

Keegan Murray — Left Ankle Capsulitis

Murray remains sidelined with left ankle capsulitis, an inflammatory condition affecting the joint capsule that can cause pain, swelling and restricted mobility, Sacramento initially established a 10-to-14-day reevaluation period, with his estimated return currently falling around November 10, his ability to regain full ankle mobility and tolerate repeated cutting and jumping movements will be important indicators as he works toward returning to the lineup

Philadelphia 76ers

Joel Embiid — Right Foot Plantar Fascia Injury

Embiid is dealing with a right foot plantar fascia issue, with Philadelphia managing the condition as the former MVP navigates the early portion of the season, the plantar fascia is a thick band of connective tissue along the bottom of the foot that helps support the arch and absorb stress during movement, injuries involving this structure can cause persistent discomfort, particularly during running and jumping, making symptom management and workload monitoring important factors in maintaining his availability, although the issue has affected his injury-report status, it has not been established as a long-term absence

Atlanta Hawks

Jalen Johnson — Left Ankle Sprain

Johnson is dealing with a left ankle sprain that has impacted his availability early in the season, the 2026 All-Star and All-NBA selection has become one of Atlanta's most important offensive contributors, making his health a significant concern for the Hawks, ankle sprains can affect lateral movement, balance and explosiveness, with the severity of the ligament damage and his response to basketball activity determining whether the issue results in a prolonged absence, no confirmed extended recovery timeline has been established

Washington Wizards

Justin Champagnie — Right Foot Fracture

Champagnie suffered a right foot fracture in late October and underwent surgery to repair the injury, with his recovery expected to extend well into 2027, foot fractures can be particularly challenging for basketball players because of the repeated stress associated with running, jumping and landing, with bone healing and gradual progression through weight-bearing activity important components of rehabilitation, his projected return around February would represent a multi-month absence

Outlook

The early-season injury wave has already created significant challenges across the NBA, with Oklahoma City facing multiple potentially season-altering absences and Minnesota, Orlando and Portland navigating extended recovery timelines for some of their most important players

For players recovering from ligament, tendon and muscle injuries, the initial timetable represents only part of the recovery process, as returning to NBA competition requires restored strength, mobility and the ability to withstand repeated high-intensity movements, with practice participation, medical reevaluations and responses to increased workloads likely to shape availability throughout November and beyond