The NBA offseason has taken a sharp, brutal turn.

Just weeks before the 2025–26 campaign tips off, multiple star players are already sidelined with significant injuries, leaving fans and teams bracing for chaos.

Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies): The former Defensive Player of the Year is out 4–6 weeks with a toe injury. Memphis, already battling depth questions, will need to lean on their younger frontcourt to stay afloat.

Zach Edey (Memphis Grizzlies): The 7’4” rookie big man was expected to bring size and rim protection, but he’s now sidelined 6–9 weeks with an ankle issue. That leaves the Grizzlies suddenly thin in the paint.

Scoot Henderson (Portland Trail Blazers): After a rocky rookie season, Scoot was primed for a breakout year. But a torn left hamstring in workouts will keep him out for nearly two months — a huge setback for both his development and Portland’s rebuild.

Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers): The former MVP remains the biggest question mark. Philadelphia has yet to set a timeline for his return, and with his injury history, every day of uncertainty looms larger.

Why This Matters

These injuries aren’t just random setbacks. They’re shifting the balance of power across the league. The West is now wide open without Jackson and Edey anchoring Memphis. Portland loses its rising floor general. And in the East, the Sixers’ future remains murky without a healthy Embiid.

The NBA offseason thrives on stars. And right now, too many of them are in street clothes. The season hasn’t even started, but it already feels like survival of the fittest.