The 2025-26 NBA season is about to begin, but several teams are already being forced to press forward without key players on their respective rosters.
The season will officially begin on Tuesday, Oct. 21, with the Houston Rockets taking on the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Golden State Warriors taking on the Los Angeles Lakers.
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics, forward
Tatum has not officially been ruled out for the 2025-26 season. However, his Achilles injury will still likely force him to miss a significant amount of the season. He posted a video on social media of himself back on the court at the end of September, just four months after suffering the injury and having surgery.
Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers, guard
Garland participated in a scrimmage last week, according to Cleveland.com. Garland played with a turf toe injury during the final part of the season and forced him to be a limited participant during the postseason. He did have surgery during the offseason. Garland is expected to be back at the start of November, according to ESPN.
Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks, guard
Irving is not expected to make a return to the court until the start of 2026. Irving is recovering from a torn ACL that he suffered in March. Mavericks coach Jason Kidd shut down the thought of Irving being “ahead of schedule” when speaking to reporters at the team’s media day session.
Fred VanVleet, Houston Rockets, guard
Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers, guard
Haliburton will miss the entire 2025-26 season after suffering an Achilles injury during Game 7 of the NBA Finals. The guard did have surgery on his right Achilles tendon during the offseason.
T.J. McConnell, Indiana Pacers, guard
McConnell is suffering from a hamstring injury that will keep him out of action for a month, according to WTHR Channel 13 in Indianapolis. He is expected to return in mid-November.
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, forward
James is not expected to play in the Lakers’ season opener against the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 21. He is dealing with sciatica, which is a pain caused by some level of irritation, pinching or compression of the sciatic nerve. He’s not expected to make his season debut until mid-November, according to ESPN reporter Shams Charania.
Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies, center
Edey has been cleared to begin ramping up his basketball activity as he recovers from a left ankle injury. He isn’t expected to be available until early November, according to ESPN. The big man had surgery in early June.
Tyler Herro, Miami Heat, guard
Herro will not play in the season opener against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday, Oct. 22, after he underwent surgery for a left foot/ankle injury in mid-September. After speaking at media day, the guard expects to be available to return in mid-November, according to The Sporting News.
Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder, forward
Williams underwent surgery in July for a torn scapholunate ligament in his right wrist. His status is uncertain for the Thunder’s season opener against the Houston Rockets on Tuesday, Oct. 21.
Jared McCain, Philadelphia 76ers, guard
McCain underwent surgery during the offseason to repair a torn UCL. He is expected to be re-evaluated in early November, according to NBC Sports Philadelphia. The guard has participated in 5-on-5 workouts as he continues to work his way back.
Jalen Green, Phoenix Suns, guard
Green aggravated his hamstring injury during the Suns’ trip to China during the preseason. He’s expected to be evaluated later this week, according to ArizonaSports.com. He’s likely to miss the Suns’ season opener against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, Oct. 22.
Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers, guard
Lillard is expected to miss the entire season after suffering a torn Achilles tendon during the 2025 playoffs as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks. He underwent surgery in May. After the Bucks bought him out, the guard returned to Portland to continue his rehab.
Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings, center
Sabonis is expected to miss the start of the season with a hamstring injury. He has a grade 1 strain and is expected to be re-evaluated next week.
Keegan Murray, Sacramento Kings, forward
De’Aaron Fox, San Antonio Spurs, guard
Fox is doubtful for the season opener against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, Oct. 22, according to the Athletic. He is dealing with a hamstring injury.
