The 2026 NBA playoffs have been marred by injuries to key players, who could shift the balance in power among championship contenders. Last year, Damian Lillard, Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton showed how one injury to a franchise cornerstone could alter a team’s title aspirations.
This year, the injuries are piling up for some of the biggest game-changers in NBA history. Without them, their respective teams face an uphill battle to end the season with a championship.
Here are the 5 injured players whose absences could shape the 2026 NBA playoffs:
#5. Aaron Gordon
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon played just 36 regular-season games due to persistent hamstring and calf injuries. Late in Game 2 against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday, he reportedly felt tightness in his calf, forcing him to sit out Game 3.
The Nuggets sorely lacked Gordon’s shooting, defense, rebounding, hustle and energy in their embarrassing 113-96 loss on Thursday.
Denver will always be formidable as long as Nikola Jokic is healthy, but without Gordon, the Nuggets might not last past the first round.
#4. Joel Embiid
The postseason hardly happens without Joel Embiid on the injury list. Embiid missed the opening two games of the Philadelphia 76ers’ series against the Boston Celtics after undergoing an appendectomy just before the regular season ended.
The 76ers pulled off a 111-97 upset of the Celtics in Boston on Tuesday to even the series at one game apiece. Philly played well, but it is unlikely to go deep in the 2026 NBA playoffs without the former MVP.
Embiid has been upgraded to doubtful ahead of Game 3 on Friday, but he is not expected to play. Only time will tell when he will get the green light to play.
#3. Jalen Williams
OKC Thunder star forward Jalen Williams suffered a mild left hamstring injury in Game 2 against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday. Williams left midway through the third quarter in the Thunder’s 120-107 win.
The Thunder seemingly has enough firepower to survive the first round of the 2026 NBA playoffs without Williams. Clemente Almanza of the OKC Thunder Wire reported on Thursday that “Williams will miss at least Games 3 and 4 against the Suns.”
The defending champs went 39-10 without J-Dub in the regular season, underlying their depth and championship form. Williams missed multiple games this season due to a right hamstring injury. If the left hamstring injury persists, the Thunder’s road to a repeat will be tough.
#2. Anthony Edwards
A right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome forced Anthony Edwards to sit out 11 of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ final 14 regular-season games. The nagging issue returned in the 2026 NBA playoffs against the Denver Nuggets.
Edwards was questionable in Game 2 before the training staff cleared him to play. Minnesota’s homecourt dominance in the showdown helped the T-Wolves limit Edwards to 24 minutes.
The injury, though, could have affected him as he had 17 points on 6-for-15 shooting. Edwards limped in the third quarter before going to the locker room. If he can’t shake off the injury bug, the appearance in the 2026 NBA playoffs could end in a whimper.
#1. Luka Doncic
The 2026 NBA playoffs loomed large for the LA Lakers when Luka Doncic suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain early this month. A day later, the Lakers announced that he would be out for 4-6 weeks.
LA’s surprising 2-0 lead in its first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets has only benefited the team and Doncic. If the series goes to seven games or if the Lakers can end it quickly, the Slovenian will benefit from either result.
The Lakers have been playing well, but they would need their MVP contender to have a legitimate chance of challenging for the championship.
Injuries To Star Players Were Rampant Before 2026 NBA Playoffs Started
Injuries to star players were rampant even before the 2026 NBA playoffs started. Cade Cunningham had a collapsed left lung that forced him to sit out multiple games. Fortunately for the Detroit Pistons, Cunningham returned just before the postseason started.
Steph Curry struggled to see action due to a recurring knee issue. The two-time MVP also returned, but his team failed to advance past the play-in tournament.
Giannis Antetokounmpo was another franchise player who dealt with hamstring and calf injuries. Antetokounmpo’s Bucks didn’t even make the play-in tournament.
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