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A number of unforeseen incidents can lead to an NBA team virtually getting their season ended. Top of the list are injuries, with the NBA having seen a number of stars getting injured for their teams just when it mattered the most. With the Covid-era NBA taking place very differently, with a jam-packed schedule and minimum breaks, a number of players were unfortunately injured in the 2021 NBA playoffs.
2021 NBA Playoffs: 5 All-Stars who missed games due to injuries
Apart from All-Stars, a number of players who were not selected for the All-Star team this year also saw their teams crash out after missing the playoffs. This includes the likes of Anthony Davis and Jamal Murray, whose teams were knocked out in round 1. They might have made it to the conference semifinals had they played. Elsewhere, the likes of Kawhi Leonard and Chris Paul will miss the upcoming playoff matches for different reasons. Regardless, the following article focusses on NBA stars who have already missed at least 1 game.
#5 Joel Embiid
It is no secret that Joel Embiid is playing through a slight tear in his lateral meniscus in his right knee. Embiid’s Philadelphia 76ers’ blazed past the Washington Wizards in round 1 4-1, and the big man has also played through pain against the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Coach Doc Rivers said after game 4 that Embiid will not quite be at his best for the series, but “he will take it.” Embiid was most recently involved in Atlanta Hawks’ second victory of the series in game 4, and did not have the best of times. He was sent for evaluation in the first half and missed quite a few shots, scoring at just 20% from the field. Needless to say, the Atlanta Hawks would have been in far more trouble had a fully-fit Joel Embiid been available for the 76ers.
#4 Kyrie Irving
Irving hobbled out with an ankle injury during game 4 against the Milwaukee Bucks, and it is unknown whether he will return from the series. His absence may have been negated due to James Harden returning from his layoff in game 5 which the Nets won after Durant produced what was his best performance in the 2021 Playoffs.
Regardless, the Milwaukee Bucks have already fought since 0-2 and certainly have the firepower to take the series all the way to the wire. Game 4 was the first match that Kyrie missed in this year’s playoffs. He impressed in the first three matches as the Nets lost games 3 and 4 in part due to his injury. Irving’s absence is set to have an impact on the Brooklyn Nets in the coming games as well.
#3 James Harden
The Brooklyn Nets will argue that it was James Harden’s absence through the first few matches that ended up opening up the series for the Bucks to make a comeback. Harden had to be withdrawn within a minute of game 3, as the Brooklyn Nets went on to lose the next two matches.
The Brooklyn Nets have the best offense in the NBA and are the majority’s favorite for the championship this season. However, Harden’s injury in particular has already had a big impact on the series, although his return has happened at exactly the right time.
#2 Mike Conley
Another team that saw a huge impact on their overall title ambitions due to an injury is the Utah Jazz. Mike Conley has not played a part in the Western Conference semifinals so far. The combination of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard is intent on exploiting the situation.
The Jazz won the first two matches riding on Jordan Clarkson and Donovan Mitchell’s scoring. However, the LA Clippers have had to fight back for a second time for a 0-2 position. The Jazz have struggled in the absence of their second-most prolific player this season. Conley has been ruled out for game 5 as well, and the LA Clippers will be looking to exploit his absence by gaining the lead.
#1 Jaylen Brown
With the rest of the players on this list still very much in contention to make it to the conference semifinals, it was Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics who saw the biggest impact to their campaign due to an injury.
The Boston Celtics had an underwhelming campaign, with their two All-Stars, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, both missing games through the regular season along with the injury-prone Marcus Smart. Brown had an incredibly successful regular season and was a major reason behind the Celtics making it to the playoffs despite finishing the season with a 2-7 record. The Boston Celtics would have had a better chance against the top-heavy Brooklyn Nets had it not been for Jaylen Brown’s season ending injury.
