Top 5 injured players ahead of Week 4 in 2024-25 NBA Season ft. Kevin Durant
The 2024-25 NBA season is now at full blast, with teams laying the foundation for what they hope to be successful runs in their respective campaigns. However, some may need to adjust their strategies due to the absence of key pieces in their rosters, sidelined by injuries.
As Week 4 of the season approaches, several NBA stars will be missing games due to various injuries. Below are the top five injured players listed as of Saturday, Nov. 9.
Top 5 injured players ahead of Week 4 of the ongoing NBA season
#1. Kevin Durant (left calf strain)
ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported that Kevin Durant suffered a left calf strain in their 114-113 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday. He will be out for at least two weeks.
Durant's injury is a damper for the Phoenix Suns, who have been off to a hot start with a Western Conference-leading 8-1 record. "KD" has been leading the way for the team, with averages of 27.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.4 blocks in 39 minutes per game.
Fortunately for the Suns, they still have good pieces who can help cushion the blow until Durant comes back.
#2. Ja Morant (right hip injury)
Memphis Grizzlies two-time All-Star guard Ja Morant is listed as week-to-week without a specific timetable for his return after suffering a right hip injury in the third quarter of their 131-114 victory over the LA Lakers on Wednesday after a hard fall under the basket.
The Grizzlies, currently sixth in the West with a 6-4 card, will be missing Morant's 20.6 ppg, 9.1 apg and 5.0 rpg as they hit the road to Portland, LA and Golden State this week.
The hip injury is the third health issue Morant has dealt with this season, following a mild ankle sprain in the NBA preseason and right thigh soreness that kept him out for one game earlier in the season.
#3. Zion Williamson (left hamstring strain)
The New Orleans Pelicans announced on Saturday that All-Star forward Zion Williamson would be out indefinitely after being diagnosed with a left hamstring strain. The confirmation came after he was removed from their lineup in their 115-88 loss to the Orlando Magic on Friday.
Williamson has played in six games out of a possible 10 for the Pelicans (3-7) so far. He had been averaging 22.7 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 5.3 apg and 1.2 blocks per game before getting hurt. Last season, the former Duke star played in a career-high 70 games.
#4. Tyrese Maxey (right hamstring strain)
The struggling Philadelphia 76ers (1-7) took another blow with the news that All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey will be out for a while because of a right hamstring strain he sustained during their 110-98 loss to the LA Clippers on Wednesday.
Maxey's absence leaves Philadelphia even more short-handed as they still await the return of superstar big man Joel Embiid, who is serving a three-game suspension for shoving a reporter.
#5. Aaron Gordon (right calf strain)
The Denver Nuggets reported that do-it-all forward Aaron Gordon would be out for multiple weeks because of a right calf strain he aggravated in their 121-119 win over the Toronto Raptors on Monday.
Gordon, who has been contributing 15.4 ppg, 6.7 rpg and 3.1 apg, will be out during a critical time for the Nuggets (6-4), who have been recovering after an 0-2 start to the 2024-25 NBA season.