NBA Injury Roundup for Week of November 2nd

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.

*11/7 Update

Lu Dort - Oklahoma City Thunder

Is set to miss a second straight game with a shoulder injury, opening up opportunities for Cason Wallace and Alex Caruso.

DeAaron Fox - San Antonio Spurs

Is expected to make his season debut on Saturday from a hamstring injury. This should ease the ballhandling duties of Stephen Castle and allow him to put forth more of a focus on backcourt defense.

Paul George - Philadelphia 76ers

George is scheduled to meet with doctors over the weekend to determine the next steps in his recovery from left knee surgery. He could miss at least two more games, if not more.

*11/6 Update

Bam Adebayo - Miami Heat

Sustained a sprained left toe and exited Wednesday night's game and has already been ruled out for Friday's game against the Hornets. He is considered day-to-day and is still possible to play on Saturday at this time.

*11/5 Update

Walker Kessler - Utah Jazz

Is set to undergo season-ending surgery on a torn labrum of his left shoulder. Kessler made just five appearances before his season was abruptly ended, finishing with averages of 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.4 steals. He likely would have been a very sought after trade asset with his contract expiring this season.

Austin Reaves - Los Angeles Lakers

Is set to miss his second straight game with a groin injury. This will open up opportunities for Jake LaRavia and Dalton Knecht. He's been going through shootarounds so there is a chance he'll return relatively soon, but the severity of the strain hasn't been announced by the team. *11/7 Update: Austin Reaves will continue to be out through the first game of the Lakers road trip on Saturday vs Atlanta.

Dereck Lively - Dallas Mavericks

Dealing with a knee injury, Head coach Jason Kidd said Wednesday that Lively is doing on-court work and will hopefully be back by next week. Lively has already missed five straight games with a sprained right knee, and he'll miss at least two more due to the issue.

Dillon Brooks - Phoenix Suns

Brooks is set to miss his sixth straight game Thursday, but it's worth noting that he was able to get through an extended workout Tuesday. His potential return date remains foggy, as his pain tolerance will play a factor in how quickly he's able to return to the lineup

*11/3 Update

Zion Williamson - New Orleans Pelicans

The Pelicans announced Tuesday that Williamson will miss at least one week due to a strained left hamstring, Williamson has an extensive history with hamstring issues as they have made up the bulk of his time missed through his NBA career

Trae Young - Atlanta Hawks

An MRI taken on Young’s knee after the initial injury last Friday revealed a sprained MCL that would require him to be re-evaluated in four weeks. Reports are that Young avoided major structural damage and that assessment is backed up by the fact that he will re re-evaluated in four weeks rather than see his season ended early.

Anthony Davis - Dallas Mavericks

After exiting a game early last week, Davis has been diagnosed with a low-grade calf strain and was scheduled to be re-evaluated after a two game absence, which ends Monday. Anthony Davis has suffered calf-related injuries at least twice: once in the 2020-21 season (right calf/heel area) that caused him to miss a large chunk of the season, and this current left calf strain. These injuries are part of his larger lower-body injury history and although they haven’t always been season-ending, they’ve contributed to missed games and interruptions in his playing rhythm.

LaMelo Ball - Charlotte Hornets

Ball missed his first game of the season due to a right ankle issue on Sunday. Given his history of injuries, the Hornets may be holding him out as a precaution on the second night of a back-to-back set. Ball has had a strong start to the season, averaging 23.3 points, 9.8 assists, and 7.8 rebounds. Expect him to return Tuesday against the Pelicans

Dorian Finney-Smith - Houston Rockets

Finney-Smith has yet to make his Rockets debut as he continues to recover from offseason left ankle surgery. The veteran forward's next opportunity to take the court will come Wednesday against the Grizzlies, though with no clear timetable for his return, it doesn't appear that a comeback is imminent.

Dylan Harper - San Antonio Spurs

Harper exited Sunday’s game vs Phoenix in the first half and did not return. Harper grabbed at his left calf and was briefly attended to by medical staff on the bench before heading back to the locker room. A left calf injury will likely cost the rookie some time, but the severity of the injury isn’t known at this time.

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