M.A.S.H. Unit, NBA Style.
Before the 2019-20 NBA season even started, some of the top players were already ruled out for a significant portion if not the whole year.
Celtics forward Gordon Hayward, after seeming to finally get his groove back this season following a catastrophic leg injury in 2017, broke his hand this past week and is expected to be out for several weeks. Zion Williamson, the much heralded Pelicans rookie had knee surgery before the season even started.
Golden State was hit the hardest, first losing Kevin Durant in the NBA Finals to an Achilles injury (before losing him to the Nets in a sign and trade deal), then Klay Thompson in those same Finals to a torn ACL that may cancel his entire 2019-20 season. This season started with much of the same for the Warriors, with team leader Stephen Curry breaking his hand (gone until February, possibly longer), and Draymond Green (finger), Kevin Looney (hamstring), and five other key players missing significant time with injuries. They’ve gone from the top of the league to the very bottom (2-9 at the time of this story) in just a few months.
That dynasty came and went quickly.
Here’s a rundown of major injuries faced by key players in this young season (not counting smaller, day-to-day injuries):
- Victor Oladipo, Indiana Pacers, knee
- Paul George, L.A. Clippers, shoulder
- Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans, knee
- Blake Griffin, Detroit Pistons, hamstring
- Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors, thumb
- John Wall, Washington Wizards, Achilles
- Gerald Green, Houston Rockets, foot
- Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers, ankle
- Jusuf Nurkic, Portland Trail Blazers, leg
- De’Aron Fox, Sacramento Kings, ankle
- Justice Winslow, Miami Heat, head
- Chandler Parsons, Atlanta Hawks, knee
- Rajon Rondo, L.A. Lakers, calf
- DeMarcus Cousins, L.A. Lakers, knee
- Serge Ibaka, Toronto Raptors, ankle
- Lonzo Ball, New Orleans Pelicans, hip
- Andre Roberson, Oklahoma City Thunder, knee
- Zach Collins, Portland Trail Blazers, shoulder
- Derrick White, San Antonio Spurs, thigh
- Marvin Bagley, Sacramento Kings, thumb
- Dante Exum, Utah Jazz, knee
- Grayson Allen, Memphis Grizzlies, ankle
- Jeremy Lamb, Indiana Pacers, ankle
- Nicolas Batum, Charlotte Hornets, finger
- Elfrid Payton, New York Knicks, hamstring
- Allen Crabbe, Atlanta Hawks, knee
- Otto Porter, Chicago Bulls, foot
- John Henson, Cleveland Cavaliers, hamstring
- Reggie Jackson, Detroit Pistons, back
- Bruce Brown, Detroit Pistons, knee
- Darius Miller, New Orleans Pelicans, Achilles
- Damion Lee, Golden State Warriors, hand
- Nene Hilario, Houston Rockets, groin
- Udonis Haslem, Miami Heat, wrist
There’s a Dream Team of All-Stars on this list.
Feels like the NBA has become the NFL. Teams with the least injuries will most likely come out on top.
There is another way to look at it — which unsung heroes will become stars in the absence of so many other dominant players? Only time will tell.
