Sports · Basketball · 8 hrs ago
Early NBA season hit by a wave of major injuries
The 2026-27 NBA season has opened with a wave of injuries, with 85 players listed out because of injury or illness on Wednesday, according to one estimate cited in the coverage.
Among the injured are Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard, and Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero.
Edwards is expected to miss up to two months after a procedure on his right knee, while Leonard is expected to be out for weeks and Banchero for four to six weeks.
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams dislocated his ankle and fractured his fibula, and could be out for several months or longer.
Other teams are also dealing with major absences, including Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr., who is expected to miss six to eight weeks with a torn MCL.
The injuries leave teams trying to stay competitive without key players so early in the season.
The coverage points to contact and the demands of modern play as possible factors, while also raising concerns about the heavy schedules young players face before reaching the NBA.
Teams will have to manage their rosters while injured players recover; several are due to be re-evaluated in the coming weeks.
A wave of injuries has sidelined or could sideline several prominent NBA players during the opening week of the 2026-27 season.
Anthony Edwards is expected to miss up to two months after a procedure on his right knee, while Jalen Williams suffered a dislocated ankle and fractured fibula.
Other injured players include Kawhi Leonard, Tyrese Haliburton, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Paolo Banchero.
On Wednesday, 79 players were listed out because of injury or illness, a figure that later rose to 85, according to Complex.
A Blazer’s Edge columnist pointed to contact, the demands of modern play and youth development as possible factors in injuries.
- Who
- NBA players including Anthony Edwards, Jalen Williams, Kawhi Leonard, Tyrese Haliburton, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Paolo Banchero.
- What
- A series of injuries has left numerous players unavailable or facing weeks or months out.
- When
- During the first week of the 2026-27 NBA season, with several injury announcements made around October 28.
- Where
- Across the NBA; the articles also describe injuries involving the Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz and Orlando Magic.
- Why
- The specific causes of the injuries vary. A Blazer’s Edge columnist cited player contact, modern playing demands and youth development as possible broader factors.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The NBA season began, and injuries affected players across the league.
Jalen Williams was injured against the Clippers over the weekend, according to CBS Sports.
News emerged that Anthony Edwards would undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, CBS Sports reported.
Complex reported that 79 players were listed out because of injury or illness, with the total later rising to 85.
Blazer’s Edge reported that Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, Jaren Jackson Jr., Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace had been lost to injury in the previous 24 hours.
- Season
- 2026-27 NBA season
- League injury absences
- 79 players listed out on Wednesday, later rising to 85
- Anthony Edwards
- Expected to miss up to two months after right knee surgery
- Jalen Williams
- Dislocated left ankle and fractured fibula; could be out for several months or the season
- Jaren Jackson Jr.
- Expected to miss six to eight weeks with a torn MCL
- Paolo Banchero
- Expected to miss four to six weeks with a right ankle sprain
4 sources
The NBA’s Brutal Early-Season Injury List: Banchero, Ant, Kawhi, J-Dub, and More
Injuries are wrecking the NBA season already: Which teams can survive star absences?
What’s Going on with the Sudden Raft of NBA Injuries?
NBA one-week overreactions: Luka Dončić as the MVP frontrunner? Who's in the most trouble?
What people are saying
79 players were listed out due to an injury or illness
Some injuries just happen.
If they really want to address this issue, the NBA is going to have to face a reality about its developmental pipeline.