Notable players who will miss the start of the regular season due to injury

The 2024-25 NBA regular season is getting closer and closer. It starts on October 22nd with two games on the schedule. Some teams may already be shorthanded at the start of the season. Here are 12 notable NBA players who will miss the start of the regular season due to injury.

Notable players who will miss the start of the regular season due to injury

Malcolm Brogdon, Washington Wizards

A torn thumb ligament suffered during training will likely keep Malcolm Brogdon out for at least a month. The 31-year-old point guard was acquired by Washington and sent Deni Avdija to the Portland Trail Blazers.

Devin Carter, Sacramento Kings

Devin Carter, the son of 13-year NBA veteran Anthony Carter, was selected by Sacramento with the 13th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Unfortunately, it was announced before Summer League that he would require shoulder surgery. Carter’s torn labrum was repaired in mid-July and he was given a six-month timeline at the time of surgery.

Dante Exum, Dallas Mavericks

After not playing in the NBA for two seasons, Dante Exum moved to Dallas in the 2023 offseason. He ended up playing nearly 20 minutes per game for a team that reached the NBA Finals. Exum underwent wrist surgery last Tuesday that is expected to keep him out of action for three months.

GG Jackson II, Memphis Grizzlies

GG Jackson II, the 45th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, made the All-Rookie Second Team last season after averaging 14.6 points per contest. Jackson II is only 19 years old and will not be ready at the start of the 2024-25 season. He had surgery for a broken foot in early September, and then it was announced he would be re-evaluated in three months.

Trey Murphy III, New Orleans Pelicans

Trey Murphy III is out with a hamstring injury and is scheduled to be re-evaluated on October 24th. The Pelicans’ season opener is Oct. 23, so Murphy III will miss at least their first game. This is the second straight season he has been sidelined to begin the season, as a knee injury sidelined Murphy III for over a month at the start of the 2023-24 season.

Kristaps Porzingis, Boston Celtics

Kristaps Porzingis missed half of Boston’s 14 playoff games during last season’s championship run. The talented but often injured center underwent surgery on his left leg at the end of June. He is expected to be sidelined for at least the first few months of the season.

Mitchell Robinson, New York Knicks

26-year-old Mitchell Robinson is reportedly targeting a January return following two ankle surgeries. The lack of centers on the Knicks roster with Robinson injured and Isaiah Hartenstein signing with the Thunder helped expedite the Karl-Anthony Towns deal. It will be interesting to see if Robinson gives the Knicks a “Twin Towers” ​​starting lineup alongside Towns or if head coach Tom Thibodeau brings Robinson off the bench when he returns.

Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets

Day’Ron Sharpe, who averaged 15.2 rebounds per 36 minutes in the 2023-24 season, will be sidelined to begin the 2024-25 season. A left thigh muscle strain suffered during training will keep the 22-year-old center out of action. On October 7, it was announced that Sharpe would be reevaluated in six weeks.

Shaedon Sharpe, Portland Trail Blazers

When the injury was discovered a week ago, Shaedon Sharpe was sidelined for four to six weeks due to a small tear in his posterior labrum that was discovered in his left shoulder. Entering his third season, Sharpe was the seventh overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. He could be used as a sixth man as the team traded for Avdija from Washington.

Devin Vassell, San Antonio Spurs

24-year-old Devin Vassell underwent offseason surgery on his right foot. He will reportedly not be re-evaluated until November 1st and will therefore miss the start of the regular season.

Vince Williams Jr., Memphis Grizzlies

Due to numerous injuries to the team, Vince Williams Jr. saw increased playing time last season, averaging 10 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists. On September 27, it was announced that Williams Jr. would be sidelined with a left shin injury and would be reevaluated in four weeks. That will keep him out, at least for the start of the regular season.

Christian Wood, Los Angeles Lakers

Christian Wood’s first season with the Lakers in 2023-24 was one of his least productive in recent memory (averaging 6.9 points and 5.1 rebounds). He will now have to start in the 2024-25 regular season. On September 9, it was announced that Wood had surgery on his left knee and that he would be re-evaluated in eight weeks.