In the NBA’s ongoing 2025 season, injuries among prominent players continue to shape team dynamics and raise concerns across the league. Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton has been sidelined for the remainder of the season after suffering a torn Achilles tendon during Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Boston’s Jayson Tatum, dealing with a similar injury that occurred during last spring's playoffs, faces uncertainty with the possibility of missing the entire season as well.
Other NBA standouts such as Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James, and Oklahoma City’s Jalen Williams have each missed significant periods due to various injuries. The list has recently grown to include Denver’s Nikola Jokic, who sustained an injury during a game against Miami.
Denver Nuggets head coach David Adelman summarized the situation succinctly, stating, "It sucks," in reference to Jokic’s injury. Jokic’s incident occurred late in the first half of the game on Monday night when, while attempting to assist on defense, he was stepped on by another player. This resulted in a hyperextension of his left knee, leaving the Nuggets and their fanbase spread from Denver to Serbia awaiting details on the severity of his condition. The most optimistic scenario involves Jokic missing a few weeks provided there is no significant structural damage.
The NBA’s busy schedule, with games occurring approximately every other day, means that even a recovery period of one month could translate into an absence from 15 or more games, putting additional strain on team rosters.
Despite the visible impact of these injuries on high-profile players, league data indicates a contrasting trend. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver highlighted this month that injury numbers this season are the lowest seen in the past three years. He acknowledged, however, that soft tissue injuries and injuries to star players are particularly concerning. Efforts to address these issues include adjustments to scheduling, information sharing among teams, and enhancements in player care, all aimed at reducing injury risk and minimizing downtime.
Yet, the unpredictable nature of sports injuries remains a limiting factor in these efforts. The phrase "Next man up," commonly used across sports locker rooms, reflects the reality of teams needing to adapt when key players become unavailable. Nuggets guard Jamal Murray underscored this mindset, recognizing the challenge of replacing a three-time MVP like Jokic.
The league has seen numerous notable players face extended absences in 2025 across teams, including Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid and Paul George, Dallas' Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis, San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama, Sacramento’s Domantas Sabonis, Miami’s Tyler Herro, the Los Angeles Clippers’ Bradley Beal, Denver’s Aaron Gordon, Atlanta’s Trae Young, and New Orleans’ Zion Williamson. These injuries compound an already extensive list that includes Haliburton, Tatum, James, Williams, Antetokounmpo, and Jokic.
Commissioner Silver expressed the frustration these injuries cause not only for teams but also for fans, emphasizing the importance of basing discussions on evidence rather than narrative. The NBA continues to analyze comprehensive data alongside qualitative insights from experienced individuals within the sport to better understand factors influencing player health, including training regimens and emerging techniques for injury prevention.
The league remains hopeful that ongoing analysis and adjustments will eventually lead to improved player durability and fewer extended absences of star athletes. As 2026 approaches, answers and advancements in managing player injuries may become clearer, benefiting the overall competitiveness and entertainment value of the NBA.