NBA Preview: Key Players to Monitor in the Northwest Division

The 2025 NBA season tips off with injury storylines already looming large. Several high-profile players are returning from major surgeries or long rehab processes, while others carry lingering durability concerns that could dictate their availability throughout the year. As the season begins, medical staffs will be tasked with balancing recovery, workload management, and the demands of an 82-game grind. Early setbacks or re-aggravations could shift team trajectories quickly, making health one of the most important factors in determining how this season plays out. Here is a preview of the Northwest Division as the NBA regular season approaches.

Utah Jazz - Ace Bailey

The Jazz lottery pick has been dealing with bilateral knee tendinopathy in the preseason of his rookie season. Bailey had a solid preseason with 25 points and 20 points, respectively, in two games before exiting a third game after 11 minutes with knee soreness, later diagnosed with bilateral knee tendinopathy. If he misses any time at the start of the season, it doesn’t appear that it will be very much, and he should be one of the more exciting rookies this season.

Utah Jazz - Walker Kessler

Kessler missed each of Utah's first three exhibition tilts with a shoulder injury. There didn’t appear to be much concern over the injury, as any time missed seemed to be precautionary for the fourth-year center. His productivity has gradually been increasing every year of his career, and this year should be no different. Expect him to play heavy minutes and be an important part of the Jazz rotation.

Oklahoma City Thunder - Chet Holmgren

The Champion Oklahoma City Thunder had a number of regular season injuries, Chet Holmgren being chief amongst them with a fractured hip. He recovered nicely from that injury to come back last February and was an essential piece to the Thunder’s championship run. This preseason he has been dealing with a shoulder injury that has sidelined him most of the preseason. There doesn’t appear to be much concern for the shoulder injury though and he should be set for the season opener.

Oklahoma City Thunder - Nikola Topic

Nikola underwent a testicular surgery on October 6th which will have him sidelined for approximately 4-6 weeks. The 20-year-old missed the entirety of his rookie season due to a torn ACL and was looking to make a name for himself in this loaded Thunder roster. With this injury he is missing out on valuable reps to earn some minutes and build chemistry with his teammates. He will miss the first few weeks of the season and it could be difficult for him to find fitting amongst a deep roster for the defending champions.

Portland Trail Blazers - Scoot Henderson

Tore his left hamstring during an offseason workout at the end of September and he is expected to return to basketball activities in 4 to 8 weeks. Putting his timetable for return around November at the earliest. With Damian Lillard injured and Anfernee Simons gone, the point guard spot is Henderson’s to lose. As a young point guard who relies a lot on his athleticism, how he responds to his injury could determine the direction of his career for at least the next few seasons.

Want more expert injury insights?

Sign up for a free account and newsletter at Sports Injury Central

NEED AN EDGE ON THE NBA? - USE SIC PICKS!

SIC PICKS ARE BASED ON INSIDER INJURY KNOWLEDGE FROM FORMER PRO SPORTS TEAM DOCTORS TO GIVE YOU A WINNING EDGE IN SPORTS BETTING!

SIC PICKS are powered by the proven SIC Score algorithms from our exclusive panel of former Pro Sports Team doctors to give you a sports betting edge. Each day our team of doctors analyze the players and teams and share their expert insights to help you make informed bets on the biggest unknown to sportsbooks and sports bettors - player health and injuries!

For our Best Bets including spreads, totals, props and live in game with instant alerts as game day opportunities arise with research notes, sign up to SIC Picks here for less than $2 a day on an annual plan.