NBA Injuries is a terrible thing, and we have a ton of them today.
The 2025-26 NBA season opened with more than the usual buzz of fresh starts and stat chases. It also arrived with a wave of injuries headlines that would make any contender pause. For franchises already under pressure, these aren’t just lineup changes—these are potential season-shifters.
From the Jalen Williams follow-up wrist procedure down in Oklahoma City, to the Anthony Davis leg issue in Dallas, right through to the injuries-ravaged Indiana Pacers, the league is showing its fragile side early.
Here’s what’s happening, why it matters, and what the ripple effects could look like.
🔧 Oklahoma City’s All-Star Setback
The Oklahoma City Thunder opened with a 6-0 start without Jalen Williams, whose follow-up wrist surgery now postpones his return another 10 to 14 days. Williams, coming off a breakout season (21.6 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 5.1 APG, 1.6 steals), underwent a July procedure for a torn ligament, then a second one to remove an irritating screw just when he was nearing return.
On paper, OKC can hang in there—because reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander is still firing and rookie guard Ajay Mitchell has seized increased opportunity (18.5 PPG as a reserve). But the warning sign remains: playoff rotations are tighter, fatigue builds, and missing a two-way contributor like Williams for even a few weeks could shift the balance in close games.
What this tells us: Oklahoma City looks deep, but the depth is being tested earlier than planned.
🩻 Dallas’ Fragile Core
The Dallas Mavericks’ gamble last season—trading for Davis to pair with Luka—was bold. Now, it’s showing its risk. Anthony Davis limped off with left lower-leg soreness after a baseline jumper; the backdrop? Bilateral Achilles tendinopathy listed in his preseason report.
Davis missed 18 games after being traded and played only eight of the final 10 last season. Now he deals with another setback. For Dallas, the window to contend is narrowing, and missing chunks of Davis’ prime matter.
The message: stars can carry you, but only if they’re available. The Mavericks may face a longer climb to relevance than they hoped.
🚨 Indiana’s Injuries Avalanche
If any team illustrates fragility this early – it’s the Pacers. They’re seeing a cascade of setbacks:
- Obi Toppin out at least three months with a stress fracture in his right foot.
- Two-time All-Star Tyrese Halliburton could miss the entire season after tearing his right Achilles in the Finals.
- Additional missing pieces: Bennedict Mathurin (foot, week-to-week), Andrew Nembhard (shoulder), T.J. McConnell (hamstring).
Indiana’s 0-4 start isn’t just bad luck—it’s structurally impaired. A Finals run a year ago now feels like a distant memory as availability becomes a question mark.
What stands out: survival matters more than talent when bodies break down.
🔍 Bigger Picture & Lessons
1. Depth is no longer optional. Teams built to ride two stars must now account for three or four getting injured.
2. Early-season momentum will be defined by availability. Every win matters, but every lost starter hurts swing games.
3. Opportunity knocks for the under-dog. OKC’s Mitchell, Dallas’ role players, or Indiana’s reinforcements—they may win minutes when stars sit.
4. The narrative shifts. Health is now a major storyline—not just scoring or shooting. Analysts and fans will weigh durability as heavily as talent.
5. Adjust the expectations. When star players have red flags, the road to the Finals gets steeper. Supporting casts, coaching adaptability, and culture become the difference.
📌 What to Watch
- How long Jalen Williams is out and how the Thunder rotate in his absence.
- Whether Anthony Davis can string together healthy stretches in Dallas.
- If Indiana can patch matters or if the Pacers spiral further.
- Which teams rise quietly by playing smart, staying healthy, and stacking wins early.
- How the injuries narrative influences trades, rotations, and playoff chances.
✅ Final Thought
For fans, the first month of the season is usually about new names, wild stats, and fresh hope. This season? It’s also about patience, grit, and availability.
The players we expected to lead their teams may carry them only if they show up. And these early injuries headlines are a reminder: in the NBA, the most powerful player isn’t always the highest scorer—it’s the one who stays standing.
