The NBA season is a marathon, not a sprint. Every week brings new twists in the ongoing battle between talent and durability. From nagging soreness to major setbacks, injuries shape rotations, influence playoff hopes, and redefine team dynamics across the league. Each week, Sports Injury Central breaks down the latest updates, timelines, and recovery outlooks for players around the association, providing expert insight into how health trends could impact both the short-term box scores and the long-term championship picture.
*Friday 11/20 Update
Domantas Sabonis - Sacramento Kings
Is set to miss 3-4 weeks after being diagnosed with a partially torn meniscus.
Tobias Harris - Detroit Pistons
Has missed 9 consecutive games with an ankle injury. He could be on the verge of a return after a rehab assignment with the Cruise
Darius Garland - Cleveland Cavaliers
After making his season debut on November 2nd from a toe injury, after three out of four games he may have aggravated the injury and has missed five consecutive games. He's being listed as questionable for Friday's game vs the Pacers so he may be near a return, even if he missed Friday's game.
Andrew Wiggins - Miami Heat
Wiggins is considered day-to-day with a hip injury. The team doesn't seem to be too overly concerned, though he has been ruled out of Friday's game to start the weekend.
Steph Curry - Golden State Warriors
Curry injured his right ankle during the Warriors' loss to the Magic on Tuesday, he was held out of Wednesday's loss to the Heat as a precaution, and his absence from Golden State's injury report indicates that he is on track to play in Friday's home game
Giannis Antetokounmpo - Milwaukee Bucks
Is set to undergo an MRI on Tuesday that will reveal the extent of a groin injury sustained during Monday's game vs Cleveland. For now, it seems likely some time will be missed, but the severity of his injury will determine how much time he misses.
Calf Strains Around the League
Victor Wembanyama - San Antonio Spurs
An MRI confirmed that he sustained a left calf strain vs the Spurs this past weekend and he will be out at least 2-3 weeks.
Ja Morant - Memphis Grizzlies
Has been diagnosed with a Grade-1 calf strain and will miss at least two weeks.
Ty Jerome - Memphis Grizzlies
Has a right calf strain and has been ruled out of the next few games for Memphis, though no official timeline has been given.
Dylan Harper - San Antonio Spurs
Currently working through a calf strain and the promising rookie will be sidelined for multiple weeks.
Anthony Davis - Dallas Mavericks
An MRI confirmed a left calf strain and given his history, the Mavericks are taking a cautious approach with Davis' return. He will be re-evaluated in another 7-10 days.
Coby White - Chicago Bulls
Has a right calf strain that cost him the start of the season. He made his season debut on Saturday November 16th then sat the next night of a back-to-back.
LeBron James - Los Angeles Lakers
James, recovering from sciatica that affected his lower back and right side, has yet to make his season debut. However, he’s trending in the right direction after spending the past week practicing with the Lakers’ G League affiliate. During his recent sessions, the 40-year-old superstar reportedly “looked great” and “moved well.” If all goes well on Monday, he could have a chance at playing in Tuesday’s home game against the Jazz. However, the Lakers have four straight days off after Tuesday’s game, so the team may be incentivized to give James additional time to rest up before having him make his debut in a rematch with the Jazz on the road next Sunday.
Kawhi Leonard - Los Angeles Clippers
Kawhi Leonard is dealing with a right foot sprain and a right sprained ankle sustained on November 3rd. Leonard has previously struggled to stay on the court after undergoing three surgeries on his right knee between 2021 and 2024, but it's the 34-year-old's right foot/ankle that has kept him out for the last five games and looks set to sideline him for additional contests. However, reports are that he’s making good progress in his recovery and could make a return soon, which will help the depleted Clippers.
Anthony Davis - Dallas Mavericks
Given his history of calf and foot injuries, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that Davis’s absence has extended beyond the initial two games the Mavericks suggested. He will now officially miss another 7-10 days while recovering from his current left calf strain.
Kelly Oubre - Philadelphia 76ers
Oubre has an LCL injury and underwent some imaging. He's scheduled to meet with a specialist, at which point a timetable is likely to be established. He'll miss Monday's game against the Clippers and can be considered highly questionable for Wednesday against the Raptors. It’s worth noting that the NFL’s Travis Hunter sustained an injury to the same ligament that ended his season prematurely.
Zion Williamson - New Orleans Pelicans
Zion could have returned from a hamstring injury on Sunday, but that is the first day of a back-to-back and the Pelicans have opted to have him play on Monday. It will be his first action since November 2nd. Despite the setback of the hamstring injury, when healthy he has had a very strong start to the season.
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