Injuries & Player Updates

Giannis Antetokounmpo facing 2 to 4 week layoff after right calf strain

Giannis Antetokounmpo
December 2025


What: Giannis Antetokounmpo strained his right calf early in the Bucks’ win over the Pistons, leaving the game after slipping in the paint, and is now expected to miss between two and four weeks, dealing another major fitness setback in a season already interrupted by a left adductor issue. Doc Rivers said Achilles damage has been ruled out but confirmed Giannis will undergo further monitoring, as Milwaukee prepare to lean on defense and depth after already going winless without him during a previous absence, while Antetokounmpo encouraged teammates in the group chat following their comeback victory.

Bulls rookie Noa Essengue out for season after shoulder surgery call

Noa Essengue
December 2025

Chicago Bulls rookie forward Noa Essengue, the twelfth overall pick, will undergo left shoulder surgery and miss the rest of the season, having managed only brief NBA minutes while delivering impressive scoring and rebounding numbers in four G League outings for Windy City. Coach Billy Donovan said medical staff recommended immediate repair to prevent recurring problems, adding Essengue to a long Bulls injury list that already includes Coby White, Kevin Huerter, Zach Collins, Jalen Smith, Isaac Okoro and Tre Jones, leaving Chicago even thinner in the frontcourt and across the rotation.

Giannis Antetokounmpo strains right calf in early exit against Pistons

Giannis Antetokounmpo
December 2025

Giannis Antetokounmpo left Milwaukee’s game against Detroit after straining his right calf, collapsing in the paint shortly after assisting a basket and walking gingerly to the locker room, with the team ruling him out for the rest of the contest and scheduling an MRI. Doc Rivers believes contact on a baseline drive triggered the slip and confirmed Achilles damage is not suspected, as the two time MVP deals with another setback after a recent left adductor strain, forcing the Bucks to lean on defense and depth while Giannis encouraged teammates in the group chat after their comeback win.

Zion Williamson sidelined indefinitely with hip adductor strain

Zion Williamson
December 2025

The New Orleans Pelicans ruled out Zion Williamson indefinitely with a grade 2 right hip adductor strain after fresh imaging, another major setback for the former No 1 pick who had already missed significant time this season with a hamstring problem. Coach James Borrego said the team learned of the issue on Tuesday and are taking his recovery day by day, stressing that nobody wants to play more th

Nuggets sweat on Jamal Murray after fresh ankle sprain in loss to Mavs

Jamal Murray
December 2025

Jamal Murray sprained his right ankle early in the third quarter against Dallas, briefly returned, then sat the fourth as Denver slumped to a fourth straight home defeat, raising fears of another significant absence for a guard already carrying a heavy scoring and playmaking load. Coach David Adelman admits the team is “hugely” affected when Murray cannot finish games, with scans due on Tuesday and Denver already missing Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun, forcing role players to cover for the loss of Murray’s lethal pick and roll partnership with Nikola Jokic on both ends.

Embiid returns from knee soreness as Sixers fall in double overtime

Joel Embiid
December 2025

Joel Embiid came back to the Sixers lineup against Atlanta, logging 18 points in 30 minutes after right knee soreness kept him out for nine games, but his return was not enough as Philadelphia lost 142-134 in a draining double-overtime battle. Cleared after a pregame workout, Embiid joined Paul George and Tyrese Maxey in the starting five for the first time this season, continuing a career marked by elite production and repeated injuries soon after signing a three-year, $193 million extension that begins next season.

Trae Young out at least two more weeks with knee sprain

Trae Young
December 2025

The Hawks expect Trae Young to miss a minimum of two more weeks as he rehabs a sprained MCL in his right knee, extending an absence that has already cost him 15 games and will likely render him ineligible for major end-of-season awards under the 65-game rule. Scans confirmed no ACL damage, and Atlanta say recovery is progressing well, but Young will be re-evaluated in 14 days while the team, now 12-8 and 10-5 without him, leans on improved depth and ball movement to survive another seven-plus games without last season’s assists leader and four-time All-Star.

LeBron James questionable again as Lakers manage left foot issue

LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers)
Ahead of Sunday’s game vs New Orleans Pelicans

LeBron has been added to the injury report with a left foot problem and is listed as questionable, Marcus Smart is doubtful with back spasms, and Bronny James is ruled out as he has been reassigned to G League side South Bay Lakers.
After missing the Lakers’ first 14 games with a long layoff, LeBron only returned on 18 November and has played three straight, averaging solid all-round contributions in limited minutes. With the team on a six game winning streak and targeting a 15–4 record, the medical staff now face a balance between short term momentum and long term management of his foot.

Trae Young ruled out at least two more weeks with knee sprain

Trae Young (Atlanta Hawks)
November 2025

The Hawks confirmed Trae Young will miss at least another two weeks as he rehabs a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee, extending an absence that has already cost him fifteen games and leaving him short of the 65 game threshold for major individual awards. Young suffered the injury on Oct 29 against Brooklyn, with scans ruling out ACL damage but confirming an MCL sprain. Atlanta have gone 10–5 without him and sit 12–8 overall, yet face at least seven more games minus their four time All Star and reigning assists leader while he continues strengthening work before a further medical review.

Anthony Davis returns as Mavericks fall to Lakers

Anthony Davis (Dallas Mavericks)
November 2025

Davis made his first appearance since late October after a left calf strain, starting for Dallas and producing 12 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocks in 28 minutes in a 129–119 defeat that dropped the Mavericks to 5–14 on the season. Having missed fourteen games while the team went 3–11 and slid to joint second-worst in the West, Davis’ efficient outing offered some encouragement, and Dallas now hope his return to roughly 21 points and 10 rebounds form can stabilise their defence and interior presence as he rebuilds rhythm.

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