Paul George (Philadelphia 76ers)
October 2025
After summer knee scope, the star forward is tracking for a return shortly after the season starts and will miss Boston on Wednesday per reporting. Clearance awaits final rehabilitation benchmarks with Philadelphia managing ramp-up to avoid last season’s recurrence and protect durability alongside Joel Embiid.
Jeremy Sochan (San Antonio Spurs)
October 2025
The forward will miss opening night due to a left wrist sprain suffered in practice as he neared return from a calf strain. Expect short absence if stability and pain improve. Note: the source mention of De’Aaron Fox missing time for San Antonio is incorrect. Fox is a Sacramento Kings player.
Jaden Ivey (Detroit Pistons)
October 2025
Right knee procedure sidelines the guard for a minimum month, unrelated to last season’s left leg fracture. Rehab begins immediately with a four-week re-evaluation. Detroit will cover usage with guard rotation tweaks while monitoring swelling and strength benchmarks.
Jaren Jackson Jr (Memphis Grizzlies)
October 2025
Jackson returned to preseason action ahead of schedule after toe surgery, easing concerns about opening-night availability under new coach Tuomas Iisalo. Minutes now target conditioning and lineup reps. His two-way impact remains central as Memphis resets schemes in Iisalo’s first full year.
Kevon Looney (New Orleans Pelicans)
October 2025
Looney sustained a proximal tibiofibular ligament sprain in his left knee on the Australia preseason trip and will be re-evaluated in two to three weeks. Plan is to rest and light work before a surgery call. Earliest return points to late November, thinning Pelicans size at the season’s start.
Darius Garland (Cleveland Cavaliers)
October 2025
Garland did brief live five-on-five in shootaround as he recovers from offseason surgery on his left big toe. The timeline for opening night remains uncertain, but staff called the session encouraging.
Cleveland will progress conservatively given the injury’s variability. Conditioning and recovery response will determine next steps as the Cavs target an early-season return without setbacks.
Golden State Warriors
October 2025
Golden State are testing an older core with Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler, and Al Horford. Butler strained an ankle in practice and will miss the Blazers preseason trip with a possible return by Friday.
Brandin Podziemski impressed with expanded touches. Kerr is calibrating lineups for health, defense, and shooting balance. Early availability for Butler will shape opening rotations around Curry’s usage.
Keegan Murray (Sacramento Kings)
October 2025
Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray has suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb and will undergo surgery, ruling him out for at least four to six weeks. The injury will likely sideline him for the first 10 games of the regular season, disrupting both his contract extension talks and the team’s early momentum.
Murray sustained the injury during a preseason game against Portland, cutting short what was meant to be a pivotal year before his potential extension deadline on October 20. Known for his consistency and durability, having played 233 of 246 games since debuting, Murray’s absence leaves a major void. Dario Šarić, Malik Monk, Keon Ellis, or rookie Nique Clifford could step in alongside Dennis Schröder, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Domantas Sabonis.
Myles Turner (Milwaukee Bucks)
October 2025
After narrowly missing out on an NBA title with the Pacers last season, Myles Turner signed a four-year, $108.9 million deal with the Milwaukee Bucks to chase a championship alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo. Turner replaces Brook Lopez, offering youth, mobility, and two-way impact.
The Bucks created cap space by waiving injured guard Damian Lillard and stretching his $20 million salary over five years. Turner, a proven rim protector and floor-spacer, said Milwaukee’s championship pedigree and shared mindset convinced him to join. Coach Doc Rivers plans to use Turner as a stretch-five and playmaker at the elbow to expand his role.
Russell Westbrook (Free Agent)
October 2025
Former MVP Russell Westbrook, now 37, remains unsigned after opting out of his Denver Nuggets deal upon learning he’d be relegated to a non-rotation bench role. Despite a lucrative offer from the Chinese Basketball Association, the veteran guard is holding out for another NBA opportunity.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that there’s “strong mutual interest” between Westbrook and the Sacramento Kings, who are seeking a spark for their bench unit after ranking 29th in points and assists. Westbrook’s ties with Domantas Sabonis, Dennis Schröder, and several executives could aid a midseason signing.
