Injuries & Player Updates

Grizzlies lose Zach Edey for at least a month with ankle stress reaction

Zach Edey
December 2025

Memphis center Zach Edey will miss at least four weeks after scans revealed a stress reaction in his previously operated left ankle, extending a frustrating run of injuries for the second-year big man. After offseason ankle surgery and a delayed start to the campaign, Edey managed only 11 games, averaging 13.6 points and 11.1 rebounds before renewed symptoms forced the team to shut him down for rest and rehab, further weakening a struggling Grizzlies frontcourt.

Dereck Lively II ruled out for season after foot surgery

Dereck Lively II
December 2025

Dallas confirmed Lively will have season-ending surgery on his right foot after weeks of swelling and soreness limited him to seven games, where he averaged 4.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 16.4 minutes. The 21-year-old’s latest setback follows previous foot issues that restricted him to 55 and then 36 games in his first two seasons, compounding Dallas’ injury problems with Kyrie Irving still out after ACL surgery and putting more on Anthony Davis as the team fights from 11th in the West.

Raptors’ Barrett out at least a week after knee injection ahead Knicks Cup clash

RJ Barrett
December 2025

Toronto Raptors forward RJ Barrett will miss at least another week after receiving a platelet rich plasma injection in his sprained right knee, extending an absence that has already seen him sit out eight games ahead of the team’s NBA Cup quarterfinal against the New York Knicks. Barrett, averaging 19.4 points on 50.6 percent shooting, will be re evaluated after missing at least two more games, with Toronto sliding after five losses in six and juggling NBA Cup scenarios that could send them to the semifinals or a consolation matchup.

Magic sweat on Franz Wagner after leg injury vs Knicks

Franz Wagner
December 2025

Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner suffered a lower leg injury in the first quarter against the New York Knicks, landing awkwardly on his left leg after a hard foul on a lob attempt and leaving the game needing assistance to reach the locker room. The Magic ruled Wagner out for the night and will reassess him in Orlando, a major concern given he leads the team in scoring and had just reunited with Paolo Banchero, forcing Jamahl Mosley to lean again on depth pieces while awaiting medical clarity.

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.

POPULAR ARTICLES