Sadly, like in most sports, injuries in the NBA are inevitable. With that being said, there are always new innovations being released to effectively treat these injuries, while also helping players to recover as quickly as possible.
On this page, you can find a list of players who are currently out, alongside a variety of other details surrounding NBA injuries, such as the most common injury types and how they’re treated!
Players Who Are Currently Injured in the NBA
Here’s a list of players who are currently injured in the NBA, alongside a brief overview of the issue and a return date, should one be provided:
| Player | Team | Position | Status |
| Ja Morant | Memphis Grizzlies | PG | Hip Injury – Still being closely examined day-by-day |
| Paolo Banchero | Orlando Magic | PF | Right torn oblique – Will be reevaluated in 4 to 6 weeks. |
| Kevin Durant | Phoenix Suns | PF | Left calf strain – Will be out for at least 2 weeks. |
| Zion Williamson | New Orleans Pelicans | PF | Left hamstring strain – Will be out indefinitely. |
| Lonzo Ball | Chicago Balls | PG | Wrist injury – At least one more week is required. |
| Kristaps Porzingis | Boston Celtics | C | Foot injury – Has recently reentered practice. Expected back on the court soon. |
| Khris Middleton | Milwaukee Bucks | SF | Ankle – Being monitored day-by-day. |
| Chet Holmgren | Oklahoma City Thunder | PF | Right iliac hip fracture – Out for between 8 and 10 weeks. |
| CJ McCollum | New Orleans Pelicans | SG | Thigh injury – Out for at least one game. |
| Tyrese Maxey | Philadelphia 76ers | PG | Hamstring – Maxey has started on-court work again, more updates soon |
| Scottie Barnes | Toronto Raptors | SF | Orbit fracture – Does not require surgery, injury is being closely monitored |
| Aaron Gordon | Denver Nuggets | PF | Right calf strain – Out for multiple weeks |
| Dejounte Murray | New Orleans Pelicans | SG | Hand injury – Has resumed on-court work, full recovery expected soon |
Common Types of NBA Injuries
NBA players often face common types of injuries during the season, ranging from knee injuries to muscle strains and concussions. These can significantly impact a player’s performance and the dynamics of the team as a whole. Here’s a look at some of the most common types of NBA injuries:
Knee Injuries
Knee injuries are common in basketball, with many players hurting their ligaments or meniscus throughout the course of a session. A torn ACL is a more serious type of knee injury which usually requires surgery to fix.
Players usually know if a knee injury has occurred almost instantly, with key symptoms being a popping sound or the inability to put weight on the affected leg. For these injuries, a ‘R.I.C.E’ approach is recommended, which stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation, for treatment. This helps with healing after knee surgery or minor injury.
Ankle Sprains
Sadly, ankle sprains are also incredibly common in the NBA, affecting around 25% of players each season and contributing significantly to absence on the courts.
As part of injury prevention efforts, the NBA has initiated an innovative program focused on reducing recovery time from four weeks to just one week for ankle sprains; this project aims at improving player availability and performance. The NBA hopes to achieve this by using machine learning on injury data, helping to find correlations between injuries and other statistics, such as travel time.
Ankle braces have also become increasingly common, with companies constantly innovating their designs to lower ankle-related injuries. Superstars such as Stephen Curry and Kevin Durrant are just two examples of players who have worn ankle braces to lower the likelihood and severity of injuries.
Muscle Strains
Muscle strains are common in NBA players due to the sudden movements that are required during games. These injuries can lead to immediate pain, with calf strains often requiring several weeks for recovery. In severe cases, such as Achilles tendon tears, surgical treatment may be necessary.
Concussions
While concussions aren’t as common in the NBA as other sports, such as football, they are still responsible for short spells of absence. If a player might be concussed, they will be removed from the court immediately and should not return during the same game.
There is no specified recovery length for concussions as per NBA protocol. However, the average recovery time sits at around 10 days. Should symptoms of a concussion be present for more than 3 weeks, players will take additional time off while also visiting a neurologist for more information about the issue.
Injury Prevention and Management in the NBA
Of course, the NBA is always trying to reduce the number of injuries that occur on the court, while also ensuring a speedy recovery for all affected players.
Training and Conditioning Programs
NBA players benefit from thorough training and conditioning programs to prevent injuries, Neuromuscular exercises in particular have shown effectiveness in reducing the risk of lower extremity injuries.
Moreover, preseason preparation plays a critical role in reducing injuries. Alongside these programs, adequate rest and recovery periods are vital for minimizing overuse injuries, ensuring that players stay in optimal physical condition throughout the demanding NBA season.
Players can also benefit from strength and condition programs, which form an essential component of injury prevention strategies for athletes. These customized athletic training regimens not only bolster overall performance but also reduce the potential for sports-related injury occurrences on the court.
Role of Medical Staff and Technology in Injury Prevention
The NBA is utilizing technology and medical experts to reduce player injuries, including wearable sensors that are able to monitor athlete well-being and track muscle function, assisting in injury prevention strategies.
Initiatives like the 2023 Launchpad are particularly prioritizing player availability and soft-tissue injury prevention. Businesses like Nextiles have created fabric-based sensors for monitoring health data, while STRIVE has introduced compression shorts with electromyography sensors tailored to assess muscle performance.
This forward-thinking approach supports the league’s endeavors to reduce injuries and improve player health through advanced health technology and careful monitoring by healthcare professionals.
How Injuries Affect NBA Betting and Fantasy Sports
Injuries can have a substantial impact on NBA betting and fantasy sports, influencing game odds rather heavily. It’s not uncommon for game odds and player valuations in NBA betting markets to shift by 5-10% following injury announcements.
Experts are constantly monitoring the performance and injury reports, which can open the door to betting opportunities, should they be found early.
Bet on the NBA Online with BetVictor
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Two of the most common injuries in the NBA include knee injuries and ankle sprains, both of which can range in terms of severity.
The main way in which NBA injuries are treated is with the R.I.C.E method, which stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Of course, there are other types of treatment too, which can include surgery, exercising the affected area, or even a visit to a neurologist for things such as concussions.
When it comes to NBA betting, it’s not uncommon for the odds to shift around 10% following a major injury announcement. Should this be the star player for a particular team, such as LeBron James for the LA Lakers, it’s possible that the odds move even further.
