The Grizzlies are one of three undefeated teams atop the Western Conference; the Heat are winless and in disarray; and there has been a rash of major injuries to superstars across the league, raising countless questions about how teams go forward from here. Given all that, it's time for our overreactions from the season's first week. This isn't even an overreaction.
The season has barely begun, and there's already been an endless string of serious injuries to big-name players. Anthony Edwards and Kawhi Leonard were the latest of the bunch. On Tuesday, news emerged that Edwards will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and miss up to two months.
That's a huge blow for the Wolves, who were off to a 3-1 start. Now, Minnesota will have to figure out a way to stay afloat without Edwards, who was the second leading scorer in the NBA behind only Luka Dončić. Meanwhile, the Raptors will be without Leonard for "a period of weeks" while he deals with swelling in his right knee.
The Jazz will be without Jaren Jackson Jr. for six to eight weeks after he tore his MCL. The Magic lost Paolo Banchero for four to six weeks with a right ankle sprain, as well as Jalen Suggs, who will be re-evaluated in two weeks after bruising his right knee. Pistons center Jalen Duren is out at least two weeks with a hamstring strain.
Kristaps Porziņģis, Kon Knueppel and AJ Dybantsa have yet to play for their respective teams due to various injuries/health issues. And after sitting out all of last season, Ben Simmons blew out his Achilles before playing a single regular-season minute for the Kings. And then there are the Thunder.
Jalen Williams played just 33 games last season but returned healthy and ready to go this year -- only to suffer a dislocated ankle and a fractured fibula against the Clippers over the weekend. If you haven't seen it, don't search for it. It was the kind of gruesome scene that made many people recall the awful and unforgettable injuries previously suffered by Gordon Hayward and Paul George.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
