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The 2019-20 NBA season does not get underway until next week, although there is already a significant number of injuries around the league. Among those injured are some of the biggest names in the NBA, and here we will take a look at all the latest injury news you need to know ahead of the new season.
Kyrie Irving - Face - Should be fit for opening night
Kyrie Irving suffered a facial injury last week after taking a shoulder to the face from Lakers guard Rajon Rondo. While the injury has impacted Irving's preseason participation, the point guard is expected to be ready to return for Brooklyn's season opener against the Timberwolves.
Kevin Durant - Achilles - Expected to miss the entire season
Kevin Durant suffered a torn Achilles in Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals and the superstar was subsequently out for the entire 2019-20 season. Nevertheless, following his move to the Nets, speculation mounted that he could return if the team makes it to the playoffs. However, Durant stated last week that he isn't planning to return this year, and is fully focused on returning to his best during the 20-21 campaign.
Klay Thompson - Knee - Out until after the All-Star break
Over the summer, Klay Thompson underwent successful surgery to repair his torn ACL. Thompson suffered the injury in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, and there have been conflicting reports over when the 29-year-old would return. While a return date has yet to be set, The Athletic is reporting that Thompson will be out until at least the All-Star break.
Andre Roberson - Knee - A doubt for start of the season
Andre Roberson has missed almost two years with a serious knee injury and has yet to feature in preseason. Nevertheless, The Oklahoman is reporting that Roberson is closing in on a return, and is only absent because the Thunder are being especially careful in easing him back.
Paul George - Shoulder - Out for at least the first 10 games of the season
Paul George underwent multiple shoulder surgeries during the offseason after battling through the pain barrier during the second half of the 18-19 season. George was initially expected to miss the opening weeks of the season, although Doc Rivers says that the 29-year-old will now miss at least 10 games.
Kyle Kuzma - Foot - Questionable for start of the season
Kyle Kuzma has been sidelined with a foot injury since withdrawing from Team USA's World Cup roster and the 24-year-old is still listed as being out indefinitely. However, the Lakers star is set to be re-evaluated this week and could feature against the Clippers.
Anthony Davis - Thumb - Questionable for start of the season
Anthony Davis injured his thumb on Saturday against the Brooklyn Nets, immediately raising concerns among the Lakers fanbase. However, Shams Charania of The Athletic says Davis does not have ligament damage and it appears that the center will be fit for the new season.
Kevon Looney - Hamstring - Likely to miss the season opener
Kevon Looney was initially expected to return from injury in time for the new season, although the 23-year-old has yet to feature in preseason, and is still bothered by his hamstring. At this point, it appears that Looney may miss the Warriors' season opener, although he should make his return to the court sooner rather than later.
Victor Oladipo - Knee - Out until December
Victor Oladipo has stepped up his recovery from a serious knee injury over the past month, and is once again running in practice. Nevertheless, the guard has yet to return to scrimmages or full contact, and CBS Sports is reporting that Oladipo will miss the opening six weeks of the season.
DeMarcus Cousins - Knee - Expected to miss the entire season
The Los Angeles Lakers snapped up DeMarcus Cousins during the offseason, although the four-time All-Star suffered a torn ACL in his left knee just weeks after signing. The Lakers subsequently ruled Cousins out indefinitely, and it remains unlikely that he will play this season due to the seriousness of the injury.
Willie Cauley-Stein - Foot - Expected to miss the first two weeks of the season
Willie Cauley-Stein has missed all of Golden State's training camp with a foot strain, and the recently acquired center is expected to miss at least the opening two weeks of the new season.
Gerald Green - Broken Foot - Out indefinitely
Gerald Green injured his foot during Houston's preseason matchup against the Toronto Raptors, and Shams Charania of The Athletic is reporting that the guard has suffered a broken left foot. If the report is true, Green may need to undergo surgery and could be out for a significant amount of time.
Reggie Bullock - Back - Will be re-evaluated in early November
Over the summer, Reggie Bullock underwent surgery on a herniated disc and was ruled out for the first month of the season. Nevertheless, Bullock has made good progress and will be re-evaluated in the coming weeks ahead of a potentially early comeback.
Eric Bledsoe - Ribs - Out for 1-3 weeks
Eric Bledsoe will miss the beginning of the season after suffering fractured cartilage to his ribs last week. While the injury is not as serious as first feared, the 29-year-old could miss anywhere between 1 and 3 weeks.
Jusuf Nurkic - Lower Leg - Out until February
Jusuf Nurkic underwent surgery back in March after suffering a serious leg injury, although the Bosnian has returned to shooting drills in recent weeks. Nevertheless, The Oregonian is reporting that the Blazers are refusing to set a return date for Nurkic, and the 25-year-old won't be back until February at the earliest.
Isaiah Thomas- Thumb - Expected to be back next month
Isaiah Thomas' recent injury woes continued during the offseason as a thumb injury ruled him out for the entirety of Washington's training camp. The 30-year-old underwent surgery just under a month ago and is expected to be back at some point in November.
