Anthony Davis
January 2026
Davis reportedly has ligament damage in his left hand after being hurt late against Utah, raising the likelihood of a longer absence. He left the bench in visible pain for further evaluation, with subsequent testing indicating ligament damage. The injury hits a struggling Mavericks team still dealing with fallout from the Luka Doncic trade and their poor record.
Ace Bailey
December 2025
Utah rookie Ace Bailey left in the first half against Detroit with a left hip strain and did not return, snapping a run of strong offensive form in which the No. 5 pick had averaged 10.7 points and reached double figures in four consecutive games for the Jazz. Bailey logged 11 scoreless minutes before departing, with Brice Sensabaugh starting the second half in his place. The Jazz will now assess the severity of the strain, weighing caution against their reliance on Bailey’s length and versatility, especially in late-game situations where he has often featured.
Luka Dončić
December 2025
LeBron James hailed “Luka magic” after Dončić torched the Jazz for a 45-point triple-double, leading the Lakers to a 143-135 win and a 10-0 record in clutch games this season. Dončić added 14 assists, 11 rebounds and five steals while committing just one turnover. Despite tight officiating and constant traps, Dončić controlled crunch time, setting up Jaxson Hayes and Marcus Smart for key buckets and trading words with courtside fans as the Lakers closed out. Team-mates praised his composure, and Luka said he still sees room to improve.
Cooper Flagg
December 2025
Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg erupted for 42 points in an overtime loss to Utah, becoming the youngest player and first 18-year-old ever to score at least 40 in an NBA game, and just the fourth rookie in Dallas history to hit the 40-point mark. Flagg, who entered averaging 17.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists, poured in 24 by half-time and kept attacking to finish with a record-breaking haul that cemented his place atop the Kia Rookie Ladder, even as Dallas fell short on the scoreboard.
Austin Reaves
December 2025
Austin Reaves will miss at least one week with a mild left calf strain, sidelining the breakout guard for the Lakers’ next two games just as he averages 27.8 points, 6.7 assists and 5.6 rebounds while forming a high scoring backcourt with Luka Doncic. The injury is the latest setback in an already disrupted Lakers season, with James only recently returning after missing 14 games and Doncic sitting six through load management and family reasons. The team, 17 7 so far, must now cover Reaves’ usage and creation while keeping their strong start on track.
LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers)
November 2025
LeBron James has rejoined full practice with the Lakers after weeks sidelined by sciatica and lingering knee issues, assessing how his body responds before deciding whether to make his season debut in what would be a record 23rd NBA campaign. The 40-year-old admits his lungs and legs still need work after missing training camp and the opener, but he has ramped up through G League sessions and full five-on-five. He says pain management and conditioning will dictate his return as JJ Redick finally gets his full roster together.
Coby White (Chicago Bulls)
November 2025
Coby White delivered an impressive comeback performance in a 150 147 double overtime defeat to Utah, scoring 27 points with eight assists and four rebounds off the bench, going a perfect 14 of 14 from the free throw line after a calf strain layoff. Late in overtime he stripped Keyonte George and drove off a Nikola Vucevic screen for a tying layup with 0.2 seconds left, showing aggression and rhythm even as his overall shooting remained rusty, offering Chicago a major backcourt boost despite the narrow loss.
Walker Kessler (Utah Jazz)
November 2025
Kessler will undergo surgery to repair a left shoulder labral tear, ending a promising start (14.4 PPG on 70.3%, 10.8 RPG, 1.8 BPG). Early stretch-range progress (6/8 from three) stalls as Utah reshapes rotation and rim protection scheme. Utah must redistribute rim deterrence via scheme—more nail help, low-man urgency, and selective zone—and minutes to small-ball looks. Offensively, expect five-out spacing with quicker DHOs and ghost screens to preserve pace without the vertical gravity Kessler provides.
Lauri Markkanen (Utah Jazz)
October 2025
Lauri Markkanen poured in 51—Utah’s first 50-plus since 1998—hitting six threes and going 17-for-17 at the line across 45 minutes to edge Phoenix in overtime. He added 14 boards while Keyonte George’s 26-and-10 table-set the offense. Markkanen cited mental pacing as his late-game edge. Utah spammed empty-corner actions and early drag screens to free Markkanen’s pop/pin-down reads, then closed with mismatch hunts and whistle pressure. Sustainability hinges on secondary creators sustaining advantage so teams cannot load two to the ball. Defensive glass control and tidy late-clock execution preserved the result.
Kevin Love (Utah Jazz)
September 2025
Five-time All-Star Kevin Love will join Utah Jazz’s training camp instead of agreeing to a buyout, extending his career into an 18th season despite the team’s rebuilding status. At 37, Love is expected to play a depth role, similar to recent years with Cleveland and Miami. Though speculation swirled about a buyout to join a contender, Jazz management confirmed he remains part of their plans for now. His decorated résumé includes an NBA title and five All-Star selections.
