Disabled West

With a healthy lineup, OKC, having the best win-loss record the past two seasons, is the top team in the Western Conference, perhaps, the best in the NBA for that matter and they proved that on opening night when they beat the Spurs. 

But as this corner mentioned last week, the scenario changed for the Thunder who had a dominant start because of season ending injuries to Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace, two of the league’s top defensive players.    As reported, both have undergone surgeries. 

Now, they’re down another starter as center Chet Holmgren will be out for at least two months with a knee injury.   With three players providing size and versatility out, it’s double time for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and this should improve his chances for a third consecutive MVP.   OKC’s bench must step up and although their rotation is young and deep, they’re not as impactful as the injured stars.  

Meanwhile in Minnesota, Anthony Edwards just had knee surgery and will be out for at least two months.   With Rudy Gobert having a career-worst point production to begin the season, the Wolves will have to make up from Ant’s 33ppg, and this will fall on LaMelo Ball, Jonathan Kuminga, Jaden McDaniels and Ayo Dosunmo. 

Off to a good start, life goes on in Portland without Ja Morant who’s expected to be out for a month with a hamstring strain.  This has elevated Scoot Henderson to the starting unit and he should get more minutes than Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday, both on the wrong side of 30s.   Deni Avdija continues to be the team’s main offensive weapon.

Six games into the season, Utah, who spent the past two seasons tanking, still must find a formula for winning.   Without big men Jaren Jackson, Jr. (knee) and Jusuf Nurkic (foot), they have to rely more on Jaxson Hayes and Mo Bamba to man the middle.   Lauri Markkanen returned to action after a sprained right wrist.   One of the league’s top big man scorers, he has a history of injuries and is reportedly rumored to be on the trading block. He has a big 3-year, $130m contract and there should be teams willing to trade for him in exchange for young assets.

JJJ, whose return timeline is December, is one of the best defensive big men in the NBA today and Utah must figure out how to effectively use Hayes and Bamba in his absence. If both he and Nurkic return for duty, the Jazz hope to at least make it to the Play-In tournament.

At least 10 former All-Stars have been down with injuries league wide. Barely two weeks into the new season, injuries had become headline grabbers.