Even though the 2025-26 NBA season is just underway, injuries have already become a major storyline. Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Anthony Edwards, and Tyrese Haliburton are among the big-name players who are currently sidelined. Now, Anthony Davis and Trae Young will likely miss some time after leaving their Wednesday night contests.
Young left last night’s 117-112 victory over Brooklyn in the first quarter due to a sprained right knee. Young underwent an MRI today, according to NBA Insider Chris Haynes, to assess the severity of the injury. He suffered the injury when he collided with teammate Mouhamed Gueye, who was pushed into him by the Nets’ Noah Clowney on an inbounds play.
Following the incident, Young remained in the game, according to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, but he was subbed out one possession later and headed to the locker room.
“He didn’t want to come out of the game,” Hawks coach Quinn Snyder told reporters after the game. “He’s such a competitor. He takes a lot of pride in being available … You saw it tonight, too.”
Bontempts pointed out that, while Young appears to have avoided the serious injury (ACL), he will likely miss significant time. Young has gotten off to a slow start this year, shooting just 37% from the field and 19% from the 3-point line.
How The Hawks Replace Trae Young and Who Fills In For Injured Anthony Davis, Plus Other Injury Updates
Like Young, Atlanta has gotten off to a slow start after making a splash with their moves in the offseason. The Hawks have primarily struggled on both ends of the floor and on the glass. On the positive side, they don’t turn the ball over frequently and do a good job of creating turnovers. While Onyeka Okungwu, Jalen Johnson, and Kristaps Porzingis have thrived in the early going, Dyson Daniels and Zaccharie Risacher have struggled.
Young has been ruled out for Atlanta’s first Emirates Cup game against Indiana with a right knee sprain, per the Atlanta Hawks’ official X page. It is fantastic news for the Hawks and Young that he didn’t tear any ligaments. However, the 27-year-old point guard will likely miss at least the Hawks’ two games this weekend. The severity of the sprain will determine how long he will be out of action.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker is off to a career-best start, averaging 16.2 points, along with 2.2 three-pointers and 3.2 assists, and projects to take Young’s place in the starting lineup. Alexander-Walker has already started two games in place of Risacher. With Alexander-Walker stepping into the starting lineup, Daniels will handle more of the ball-handling duties as he slides over to the point. Keaton Wallace, who has seen 10 minutes in all five games, is likely to see an uptick, while Vit Krejci should also see a more regular role.
Anthony Davis Likely To Sit Out Saturday’s Game
While there is no official word until Friday, Davis will likely miss Dallas’ game on Saturday against Detroit due to left leg soreness. Davis only played eight minutes before exiting the Mavs’ 107-105 victory over Indiana on Wednesday. While Jason Kidd said that Davis tried to return to the game, he was unable to do so and finished with four points and four rebounds.
Davis has a lengthy injury history, so expect the Mavericks to be very cautious. Davis only appeared in 51 contests last season and has played fewer than 60 games in four of the previous six seasons. Before the game, Davis was listed on the injury report with bilateral Achilles tendinitis.
Davis has played pretty well this year and is a primary reason the Mavericks have been one of the best defensive teams in the league. However, the Mavs have struggled offensively, and they don’t have anyone to fill his shoes, as Cooper Flagg has been inconsistent in the early going.
If Davis can’t go on Saturday, the Mavs may be extremely shorthanded up front. Dereck Lively II (sprained right knee), who has missed the last two games, is questionable for the game against the Mavericks. Daniel Gafford (ankle) has yet to play this season, though he appears to be getting closer to returning.
If none of the trio aren’t able to go, PJ Washington, who is the Mavs’ second leading scorer, will likely see more time at center than usual. However, Dwight Powell could start, and rookie Moussa Cisse could see extended run.
Other Injuries
- Jamal Murray (left calf Injury) and Cameron Johnson (right shoulder inflammation) are listed as questionable and probable for Denver’s game against Portland tonight.
- Luka Doncic (leg and finger) is listed as questionable for the Lakers against the Grizzlies and may return to the floor. On Wednesday night, Dave McMenimin of ESPN relayed from JJ Redick that the swelling in Doncic’s finger had subsided somewhat. Doncic has missed the last three games, while Marcus Smart (leg contusion), who has sat out the previous two games, is also listed as questionable.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo was scratched from Milwaukee’s 120-110 victory over Golden State due to left knee soreness after being considered probable. Jamal Collier of ESPN reported that Doc Rivers didn’t have an update on Antetokounmpo’s status after the game. But Collier added that Antetokounmpo was laughing and joking with his teammates in the locker room. He will likely be listed as probable, as he has for most of the season, when the Bucks face the Kings on Saturday.
- Chet Holmgren averaged 23.0 points and 10.4 rebounds through the first four games but has missed the past two games due to lower back soreness, including OKC’s 127-109 victory over Washington last night. The Thunder are off until Sunday afternoon, when they host New Orleans, and it sounds like the 23-year-old could play.
“He’s where he should be,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said before last night’s game. “We’re being conservative with him. If he were perfect, he would obviously play tonight. But we’ll go through the process that we always go through.”
More Injury Updates and News
- According to The Athletic’s Law Murray, Bradley Beal will return to action when the Los Angeles Clippers (2-2) host the New Orleans Pelicans (0-4) after missing the previous two games with a back injury. Meanwhile, Murray added that the Clippers will be without Jordan Miller (hamstring) and Kobe Sanders (knee), who will be joined on the inactive list by rookie Yanic Konan Niederhauser (left ankle sprain).
- Paul George (knee) and Jared McCain (thumb) have been practicing with the 76ers but will not play against Boston tonight, per Bontempts. Neither player has played this season, though George is believed to be close to returning, while McCain is not expected to be available until November 8. Dominik Barlow (elbow) has missed the past two games and will be sidelined for the Sixers’ weekend games. So, his next opportunity to suit up will be against Chicago on November 4.
- Phoenix (1-4) will be without Jalen Green (hamstring) and Dillon Brooks (groin) yet again when the Suns host Utah. Green has yet to make his season debut, while Brooks is out for the third straight contest. Royce O’Neale will likely start again, and Isaiah Livers could continue to get extended playing time.
- Utah announced that Isaiah Collier (hamstring) will practice with their G-League affiliate, Salt Lake City Stars, while the Jazz are on the road. Collier has yet to play this season.
- With San Antonio’s 107-101 victory over Miami last night, the Spurs are 5-0 on the season for the first time in franchise history. It is also their first five-game winning streak since 2019.
- OKC has won 21 straight games against Eastern Conference foes following Thursday’s victory over Washington.
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