The 2026-27 NBA season tipped off just eight days ago, but the excitement that arrives with a new season has already been replaced with the existential dread that comes with an abundance of shocking, season-altering injuries.
Jalen Williams gives the OKC crowd two thumbs up as he’s stretchered off the court. Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images.
Fans of the league were dealt another vicious blow on Tuesday, as it was confirmed early MVP favorite Anthony Edwards would miss two months with a knee injury. Later that night, the news got even worse as reports surfaced that Edwards would likely miss even more than two months, and that the knee condition he could be dealing with is one that has connections to some of the most injury-ridden players in recent memory.
On Wednesday, the injury bug claimed another victim, as Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton was ruled out for the time being with a left hamstring strain, with reports saying both he and the Pacers will work toward establishing an injury timeline.
This is just ridiculous.
Tyrese Haliburton- left hamstring strain
Anthony Edwards – right knee damage
Jalen Williams – fractured fibula
Cason Wallace – torn labrum
Ben Simmons – torn achilles
Ben Sheppard – torn meniscus
Jaren Jackson Jr – torn MCL
Ariel Hukporti – ruptured achilles
Brandon Ingram – partial achilles tear
Max Strus – partial plantar fascia tear
Paolo Banchero – high ankle sprain
Jalen Suggs – right knee bone bruise
Jalen Duren – hamstring strain
— Basketball Performances (@NBAPerformances) October 28, 2026
The Injury Bug
Edwards’ injury is likely the most impactful, but it wasn’t nearly as traumatic as the one suffered by Oklahoma City Thunder star Jalen Williams. Williams suffered a graphic dislocation of the ankle in addition to a broken fibula, and though it was a different injury mechanism, it bore eerie similarities to the injury Gordon Hayward in his 2017 Celtics debut. The Thunder delivered another devastating blow to their fanbase the morning after Williams’ injury, revealing a torn labrum diagnosis for newly-extended star Cason Wallace that will likely cost Wallace his season as well.
In fact, 15% of the league’s players are listed on Wednesday’s injury report, according to Keerthika Uthayakumar. That’s 79 total players as of 2:30 p.m. ET.
Jalen Williams and Gordon Hayward suffered nearly IDENTICAL injuries…
Hayward was never the same after his return. Nothing more heartbreaking than seeing this happen to one of your favorite players https://t.co/0XW1TJ5wDp
— Culture Hardwood (@Culturehwood) October 26, 2026
In Toronto, the jubilation centering around Kawhi Leonard’s return up north has been postponed, as it was reported on Monday that Leonard would miss a “period of weeks” due to left knee swelling after making just a pair of appearances with the Raptors this season. Brandon Ingram, who was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Kawhi, was also ruled out for the start of the season with a partially torn right achilles tendon.
In Orlando, the Magic are set to embark on a four-to-eight week journey without their franchise player Paolo Banchero, who suffered a low-grade right ankle sprain last week. Jalen Suggs is also expected to miss time for Orlando over the next few weeks with a knee injury, but his prognosis is far better than what it appeared to be when he first went down. The injury bug hasn’t avoided Utah either, where Jaren Jackson Jr. has been shelved for at least six-to-eight weeks to rehab a torn MCL.
What’s to Blame?
So, what’s the culprit? The increased pace of the NBA’s modern era is the reason most often repeated. It’s also been theorized that the modern athlete is simply too powerful and/or athletic for what can be asked of muscles, ligaments and joints. The fact that players often specialize in a single sport growing up instead of playing multiple sports is also something that’s frequently been brought into the discussion.
The reality of the situation is that it probably can’t be pinned down to one or even a handful of reasons. The fact that so many season-altering injuries have happened within just a week of play is obviously going to draw plenty of attention, but it does feel like they are affecting star players at a much higher rate this season than in years past in comparison to run-of-the-mill starters and role players.
Cody Williams shared these photos of his brother, Jalen, on his IG Story https://t.co/2xIIk4f5jc
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) October 28, 2026
Betting Outlook
So how do all these injuries affect the trajectories of these particular teams? Especially in the Eastern and Western Conferences? The Thunder were the preseason favorites to win both the Western Conference (+130) and NBA Finals (+260), but they undoubtedly lose a potent scorer with Williams and a stellar perimeter defender in Wallace. Despite the injuries, oddsmakers are still expecting the Thunder to make a run as they hold the second-best odds (+380) to lift the Larry O’Brien trophy.
Team
Odds
Spurs
+280
Thunder
+380
Knicks
+900
76ers
+950
Celtics
+1200
Raptors
+1600
Timberwolves
+1900
Rockets
+2000
Pistons
+2200
Nuggets
+2500
That said, we may not see the Spurs pitted against the Thunder in a Western Conference clash, but the Thunder do have key pieces in Jared McCain and Ajay Mitchell to step up to make some sort of a run. Perhaps the West will shake out differently this year, with someone not named the Thunder, Nuggets, or Warriors.
What’s most important is that while the Thunder remain in the betting conversation, their futures odds have shifted. How can they keep this up, especially now that Alex Caruso and Chet Holmgren have suffered early-season ailments?
79 players are listed with an injury or illness on today’s 2:30 PM injury report, for games that are on tonight’s schedule.
That’s approximately 15% of the NBA!!
— Keerthika Uthayakumar (@keerthikau) October 28, 2026
Can the Timberwolves Survive?
The Timberwolves were expected to make a deep run, especially after the acquisition of LaMelo Ball. The duo of Edwards and Ball was enough to earn them the eighth-best odds to win the title (+2500) in the preseason. Despite losing Edwards, the Timberwolves hold the seventh-best odds to lift the Larry O (+1900), shortened from +2500 before the season opener. Minnesota will likely lean heavily on Ball, in addition to Jonathan Kuminga, Jaden McDaniels, Rudy Gobert, Ayo Dosunmu, and Terrence Shannon Jr.
Regardless of the major injuries, the Thunder, Raptors, and Timberwolves currently have shorter odds than teams such as the Rockets, Lakers, Cavaliers, and Nuggets on FanDuel.
Can the Timberwolves survive without Edwards for two months? We saw the Boston Celtics stay afloat mainly without Jayson Tatum last season, so anything can happen. Perhaps Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets, as well as the San Antonio Spurs, can benefit from all of this. Or even Luka Dončić and the 3-1 Lakers. Despite leading in every Finals game, the Spurs lost to the Knicks in five games. Victor Wembanyama and San Antonio are the current favorites.
Healthier Eastern Conference teams, such as the New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Celtics, could be the biggest winners. The Knicks and the 76ers are among the favorites to win the East (+390 each) on FanDuel.
Editor’s Note: The betting outlook section was written by Sara Jane Gamelli, Managing Editor of Ballislife.com.
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