Key Takeaways
- The NBA’s early-season injury crisis has disrupted rotations across the league just over a week into the 2026–27 campaign.
- Anthony Edwards could miss two months after knee surgery, while Jalen Williams may lose most or all of the season to a dislocated ankle and fractured fibula.
- The roundup also tracks timelines for Tyrese Haliburton, Kawhi Leonard, Paolo Banchero, Cason Wallace, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Jalen Suggs, ranging from two weeks to several months.
The 2026-27 NBA season is just over a week old, and injuries are wreaking havoc on the league.
Within the last few days alone, a flurry of announcements have been made about superstars like Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, and Kawhi Leonard, all of whom are expected to be sidelined for at least a few weeks.
The impact of injuries across the league was especially evident on Wednesday (Oct. 28) when, according to StatKeeks founder Keerthika Uthayakumar, 79 players were listed out due to an injury or illness. That total represented 15 percent of the league.
When the Sacramento Kings, Portland Trail Blazers, and Memphis Grizzlies later submitted their injury reports, the total, Uthayakumar said, went up to 85 players
Here’s a list of notable players who are on the shelf right now, and how long they’re expected to be out.
Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers)
Injury: Left hamstring strain
Timeline: Expected to miss at least two weeks, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Four games into his return from a torn Achilles injury that kept him out for the entire 2025-26 campaign, Tyrese Haliburton faces another setback in the form of a mild hamstring strain that is considered week-to-week, with the team expecting to reevaluate him in two weeks.
Kawhi Leonard (Toronto Raptors)
Injury: Right knee swelling
Timeline: Will be out for a “period of weeks,” per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
According to Charania, an MRI revealed no structural damage to Kawhi Leonard’s left knee. That’s the good news. The bad news is that injuries causing Leonard to miss significant time are, unfortunately, nothing new. While Kawhi told fans that he will be “returning soon,” there is still a degree of uncertainty when it comes to the player, his injury history, and how the Raptors want to approach his return to the court.
Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves)
Injury: Arthroscopic right knee procedure
Timeline: Out for up to two months, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Knee injuries have been a recurring theme for Anthony Edwards, who will now undergo an arthroscopic right knee procedure on Thursday. Edwards will have a cleanup procedure, which the Timberwolves believe will leave him as “good as new.” Edwards played through runner’s knee in the same knee last season before hyperextending his left knee in the playoffs.
Jalen Williams (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Injury: Dislocated left ankle and a fractured fibula, requiring surgery
Timeline: Out for several months, if not the season, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Williams’ injury is especially heartbreaking after everything he went through the year prior. The 25-year-old played in just 33 games last season because of wrist surgery followed by a follow-up procedure, and hamstring issues that plagued him the entire 2025-26 campaign. Williams was sidelined by a hamstring injury for most of the Western Conference Finals, including the deciding Game 7.
Cason Wallace (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Injury: Torn labrum in his left shoulder
Timeline: Out for several months, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
With the departure of Lu Dort and Aaron Wiggins, the Thunder expected Wallace to take a leap this season. So much so that Oklahoma City signed him to a five-year, $139 million contract extension, days before he sustained the injury.
Paolo Banchero (Orlando Magic)
Injury: Low-grade right high ankle sprain
Timeline: Out for approximately 4 to 6 weeks, per ESPN’s Shams Charania
The Magic will face an uphill battle, keeping the ship afloat without the 2022 first overall pick who showed in the playoffs that he can single-handedly put the team on his back.
Jaren Jackson Jr. (Utah Jazz)
Injury: Torn MCL
Timeline: 6 to 8 weeks, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Jackson played 48 games last season before the Jazz decided to shut him down after having surgery to remove a growth in his knee. Since he was acquired by Utah in a blockbuster deal days before the trade deadline last season, Jackson has played a mere 7 games with his new team.
Jalen Suggs (Orlando Magic)
Injury: Mild bone bruise in his right knee
Timeline: Re-evaluated in two weeks
Based on the play where Suggs sustained the injury, it is a relief that he is expected to be re-evaluated in two weeks. Suggs went up for a layup when his knee gave out, causing him to clutch his knee and pound his fist against the hardwood. The Magic guard is a valuable asset when he’s on the floor, but his availability has always been an issue.
Jalen Duren (Detroit Pistons)
Injury: Right hamstring strain
Timeline: At least two weeks, the team announced
After a tense, four-month contract extension negotiation, Jalen Duren returned to the Pistons on a five-year, $200 million deal. In his first game of the 2026-27 campaign, Duren proved he was worth the contract, scoring 22 points and grabbing nine rebounds in 28 minutes. Duren suffered the injury early in his next game against the Miami Heat.
Ben Simmons (Sacramento Kings)
Injury: Torn right Achilles tendon
Timeline: Out for the season
After dedicating the entire 2025-26 season to recover from the lingering injuries that he dealt with in previous seasons, Simmons seemed determined to prove everyone wrong. Then, Simmons went down with a torn Achilles in practice, days before the Kings’ season opener.
In a post on his Instagram Story, Simmons appeared to be applying the same mentality to his prior setbacks to his latest hurdle.
“I've faced challenges before that tested me mentally, physically, and emotionally, and I've found a way through every single one of them,” he wrote. “This injury is another chapter in my journey, not the end of my story.”
Brandon Ingram (Los Angeles Clippers)
Injury: Surgery on heel and partially torn Achilles
Timeline: Out indefinitely
The Clippers announced in late September that Brandon Ingram, the main piece acquired in the Kawhi Leonard trade, would miss the start of the season after undergoing surgery on his heel and partially torn Achilles. Clippers head coach Ty Lue shared earlier this month that Ingram has been ramping up his activity at practice, but a return date has yet to be determined.
