Klay Thompson and Steph Curry talk about their on-court reunion, as the former continues his recovery from injury. (1:22).
With the NBA opening night less than two weeks away, teams have begun to build their rosters and decide which players will be fit for the regular season.
Many top players were injured in 2020-21, including Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets, Kawhi Leonard of Los Angeles Clippers, Klay Thompson from Golden State Warriors. They are still trying to make a comeback this season.
Which teams won't be at 100% for the 2021-22 season? This is the latest information on injuries to players during the second week at training camp.
De'Andre Hunter (meniscus surgery)
Recovery: Hunter's second-place finish was halted by two knee surgeries. In February, Hunter had to have a debridement of his lateral meniscus. He returned just before the start the postseason and started all five games in the Hawks' victory over the New York Knicks. A MRI showed that Hunter had a tear in his same meniscus, which required surgery. Hunter was unable to participate in the Hawks' Eastern Conference finals.
Return: Travis Schlenk, general manager, indicated Hunter would be limited for the beginning of training camp. However, Hunter went through a full practice on Wednesday according to coach Nate McMillan and is now ready for the regular season.
Onyeka Okongwu (torn shoulder labrum)
Recovery: Okongwu required surgery in July after a strong playoff run as a rookie. He had to have his labrum repaired in his right shoulder. Atlanta signed Gorgui Dieng, a veteran center, in free agency to replace Okongwu.
Return: Schlenk stated at the media day that Okongwu would like to be back in December. However, the team still targets a January return, following the original six-month recovery timeline.
-- Kevin Pelton
Coby White (torn shoulder labrum in left side)
After sustaining a labrum tear in his left shoulder, White was involved in an offseason pickup basketball game at home in North Carolina. White flew to Chicago after his shoulder began to feel numb for a few days. On June 10, he had surgery. White has only been able do noncontact drills since training camp began, but has been able some dribbling as well as shooting. He still struggles to use his left arm and layups.
Return: White announced that White would be returning to full fitness in mid-November, just before the start of training camps.
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Patrick Williams (severe left leg sprain).
Recovery: Williams injured his left ankle in a Bulls workout on Sept. 15. After initial swelling, Williams was diagnosed with a severe strain and given a time frame of between four and six weeks. Williams has been non-contact since camp began and is now able to walk around with no limp or walking boots. Williams is currently getting shots and may start linear running in the next week.
Williams's return: Williams was one the Bulls' most reliable rookie players, starting 71 of 72 games. However, it is unlikely that the team will rush Williams back until he is fully ready. He could return to the Bulls if he gets back on his feet soon.
Jamal Collier
Denver Nuggets
Jamal Murray (torn left ACL)
Recovery: On April 12, the Nuggets' star point guard, he tore his left anterior cruciate ligament in a game against Golden State Warriors. He has been strengthening and rehabbing his body for several weeks and told reporters that he has spoken to Zach LaVine and Victor Oladipo about their knee rehabs.
Murray is expected to return in the future. There is no timeline. Murray continues to make progress, and the Nuggets' medical staff are thrilled with his rehabilitation so far. According to the Denver Post, Nuggets president of basketball operations Tim Connelly stated that he will return when he is ready.
-- Ohm Youngmisuk
Golden State Warriors
Klay Thompson (torn right Achilles and torn left ACL).
Recovery: Thompson tore the ACL in Game 6 against the Toronto Raptors on June 13, 2019. Thompson missed the 2019-20 season while he was recovering from his ACL tear. However, he tore his left Achilles in an offseason training session in November 2020. Thompson, who hasn't played in an NBA basketball game for more than 800 days said at media day, "I'm probably 75 to 80 percent of what I need do."
Return: The Warriors general manager Bob Myers stated recently that they don't want to set a date for Thompson's return following two serious injuries. However, he noted that the Warriors are hopeful that Thompson will visit the team in December/January and that he's ready to go -- after consulting with the Warriors' medical staff.
James Wiseman (meniscus tear at right knee).
Recovery: Wiseman sustained the injury against the Houston Rockets on April 10. Although initially the team hoped that he would be out for a few weeks after the injury, it was clear that he will miss the entire 2020-21 season. Wiseman will be cleared to "full jump" shortly, but he won't be ready to begin the season until his rehabilitation continues.
Return: Wiseman's return date is not known. The Warriors are not willing to give a time frame for the return of the second year center. Wiseman stated that he has been participating in individual training and post-practice shooting with assistant coaches.
-- Nick Friedell
T.J. Warren (stress fracture left foot).
Recovery: Warren, the breakout star of the Orlando bubble, was only able to play in four games last season because of a stress fracture in one foot. He eventually had to have surgery. Warren was also injured in his foot, but that was due to plantar fasciitis in the right foot.
Return: Warren was expelled indefinitely in September by the Pacers because his foot wasn't healing at the rate that was anticipated. In mid-October, he will be reevaluated.
Caris LeVert (stress fracture on his back).
Recovery: LeVert missed last season due to a mass that was discovered on his kidney. He was hoping to be back in good health for the new season. A scan of LeVert's back revealed a stress fracture prior to training camp. LeVert continued shooting and conditioning drills during training camp.
Return: It is possible that LeVert will not be missed any regular season games. LeVert averaged 20.7 point per game in 35 games with the Pacers last season.
Edmond Sumner (Achilles), out for the season.
-- Andrew Lopez
Kawhi Leonard (partially torn ACL right)
Recovery: After landing awkwardly in Game 4 against Utah Jazz on June 14, the Clippers' franchise player believed he was fine. Leonard was not allowed to return until the end of the fourth quarter because of his team's insistence. Leonard eventually was diagnosed with a partial tear in his right ACL. He had surgery on July 13.
Return: Leonard will be absent for a while, but he revealed that he had signed a long-term deal with the Clippers to return this season. Leonard stated that if he had signed a shorter-term contract like a one-plus-1 deal, he would likely not have attempted to return this season.
The NBA on ESPN, the ESPN app and the NBA on ESPN The 2021-22 NBA Season begins in October with two star-studded doubleheaders broadcast on ESPN. Wednesday, Oct. 20
Knicks at Celtics, 7:30 pm. ET
Suns Nuggets, 10:15 p.m. ET Friday, Oct. 22
Nets at the 76ers, 7:15 p.m. ET
Suns at Lakers, 10:00 p.m. ET
Serge Ibaka (back)
Ibaka had back surgery in June. Ibaka missed 30 games last year before returning for the final two regular season games. After missing the Clippers' initial two playoff games, Ibaka played in seven more and finally had to undergo surgery. Ibaka stated that they had to remove my disk as this is where nerves enter and exit.
Return: Ibaka stated that he is very close to returning at 100 percent. He has not been cleared by the team to contact camp.
-- Youngmisuk
Victor Oladipo (torn right quad tendon)
Recovery: Oladipo sustained the injury against the Los Angeles Lakers on April 8, and underwent season-ending surgery in May. In early 2019, Oladipo broke his right quadriceps tendon while playing for Indiana Pacers. He was out for the entire calendar year. Since his January 2020 return, he has only played in 52 regular-season matches (28 with Indiana Pacers, 20 with Houston Rockets, and four with the Heat).
Return: Oladipo and the Heat did not want to give a time frame for when the ex-All-Star could return. However, Oladipo stated to reporters that he wanted to have "one of the greatest comeback stories" ever.
-- Friedell
Donte DiVincenzo (torn ligament in left ankle)
Recovery: DiVincenzo injured his left ankle in Game 3 of the Bucks' first round playoff series against the Heat. This kept him out of Milwaukee's final postseason. On June 8, he had a successful operation. DiVincenzo was unable to participate in 5-on-5 practice at Bucks training camp and it seems likely that he will miss the regular season.
Return: DiVincenzo and the Bucks did not give a timeline, but DiVincenzo stated that he was encouraged by DiVincenzo's progress during Monday's media day. "A date?" He said, "I don't know." "But whatever that is, I will be 110 percent. I won't come back at 90, 95 [percent]. I will be 110 percent available to go and give all I have to the team."
Giannis Antetokounmpo, hyperextended left knee
Recovery: Antetokounmpo overextended his knee in Game 4 against the Atlanta Hawks. Although he was able to play every game of the NBA Finals despite the injury, it is not clear how long he will be dealing with the effects. Recently, he told a Greek television station that his knee was still hurting. However, he stated that he felt great at the Bucks training camp and acknowledged that he would need to pay attention to his body. He was not allowed to participate in their first 5-on-5 practice on Tuesday.
Return: Although it's not clear if Antetokounmpo will be unable to play in the regular season due to this injury, the Bucks will likely manage him well as he builds up during the preseason.
Collier
Zion Williamson (right-foot fracture)
Recovery: Pelicans executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin shocked many when he revealed at media day that Williamson had undergone offseason surgery to repair a fractured foot. Williamson sustained the injury while participating in off-court work before summer league. Williamson sustained the injury to his right foot while doing on-court offseason work prior to summer league. This injury was also caused by a knee injury that he sustained 13 weeks ago, which delayed Williamson's NBA debut. Willie Green, Pelicans coach, said Williamson was "progressing" but could still do walk-throughs in the first week.
Griffin stated that Williamson should be available for the opening night. Williamson said that he hopes to be able to participate in the regular-season opener.
Jonas Valanciunas (right thumb sprain)
Recovery: Valanciunas injured his thumb in training camp. He missed one day of practice. Willie Green stated that it was a "bang bang" type of play. Valanciunas was therefore removed from practice to prevent further injury. Green stated that he is not likely to be available for Monday's preseason opener at Minnesota.
Return: Green said that Valanciunas' thumb imaging was clear, and he doesn't expect to lose much time.
-- Lopez
New York Knicks
Mitchell Robinson (broken right foot)
Recovery: Robinson fractured his right foot against the Milwaukee Bucks on March 27. Robinson was averaging 8.4 rebounds and 8.5 points per game. After a 15-game absence due to a broken right arm, this was his fourth game back.
Return: Robinson has not been cleared to return and the date for his return is still unknown. Recently, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said to reporters that it was encouraging that Robinson is doing more each day. He feels great, which I believe is very important.
-- Friedell
Jonathan Isaac (torn from ACL).
Recovery: Isaac tore the ACL in an Aug. 2nd 2020 regular-season seeding match shortly after the 2019-20 season began in Orlando. He was out of action for 31 games after sustaining hyperextended left knee. This was his second game since the injury. Isaac said that his recovery was great during last week's Magic's media conference. "... Markelle [Fultz] is always right by me every day, so we can share our knowledge. Not only am I seeing great improvements in my knee but also with my overall game.
Return: Isaac's future on the court is still unknown. Jeff Weltman, Magic's president of basketball operations, stated that he would not give details on the timeline. He noted that Isaac and Fultz are doing well in rehabilitation.
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Markelle Fultz (torn left ACL)
Recovery: Fultz sustained the season-ending injury in January 5, just months after Isaac was lost to the same injury. Fultz began the 2020-21 season with a career-high 14.3 points, 3.6 rebound and 6.1 assists per game. This was seven games after Isaac's injury. Fultz said that he is doing an amazing job during last week's Magic's media conference. Fultz said that he has not experienced any setbacks. "I feel really good.
Return: Fultz stated during the same news conference, that Fultz's return date is not yet known. He said that he was listening to his body and starting some on-court work.
-- Friedell
Chris Paul (left wrist operation)
Recovery: Paul suffered a left wrist injury in the NBA Finals, which he had to deal with. Paul had wrist surgery during the offseason. He told media that he has been recovering for six to seven weeks.
Return: Phoenix general manger James Jones stated at media day that Paul was cleared for the regular season.
Dario Saric tore the ACL during the NBA Finals. He is likely to miss the entire season.
-- Lopez
Toronto Raptors
Pascal Siakam (torn shoulder labrum)
Recovery: Siakam had surgery in June to repair a torn Labrum after he missed the last four games of the 2020-21 regular-season due to a left shoulder strain. Initial plans for Siakam's rehabilitation were five months long, according to the Raptors. This would keep him out of the regular season.
Return: Toronto's general manager Bobby Webster stated at media day that Siakam was doing 1-on-1 drills, but is still not cleared for full contact. He'll likely miss at least part of the regular season.
-- Pelton
Thomas Bryant (torn from ACL).
Recovery: Bryant, the Wizards' starting centre, tore his left ACL just two minutes into a game against Miami Heat on January 9. Bryant scored in double figures last season, scoring 14.3 points per game and grabbing 6.1 rebounds per match. Bryant is currently rehabbing his knee. The Wizards are able to afford Bryant's absence after acquiring Montrezl Harrell and Daniel Gafford in the offseason.
Return: Bryant will be taking it slow for the Wizards. Tommy Sheppard, general manager of the Wizards, suggested that Bryant could be available to return in December. He might not return until Jan. 1, it is possible.
Deni Avdija (fractured right foot)
Recovery: On April 21, the Wizards' 2020 first round pick suffered a fractured right leg and his rookie season ended against the Warriors. In 54 games, he averaged 6.3 points per game and 4.9 rebounds. 32 of those were his first starts. Avdija's offseason rehab was not without its challenges. Sheppard explained to reporters that Avdija lost some opportunities this offseason due to "either safety and health protocols or an injury setback."
Return: Sheppard stated recently that Avdija works at full speed and will likely play in the preseason. The team is cautious, however, and Avdija is being introduced back into the mix.
-- Youngmisuk
