With the last gameday of the 2025-26 regular season wrapped up, the 2026 NBA playoffs are set. From the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves have qualified.
The Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, LA Clippers and Golden State Warriors will participate in the play-in tournament to determine seeds seventh through 10th.
Meanwhile, in the East, the Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Toronto Raptors and Atlanta Hawks have qualified. The Philadelphia 76ers, Orlando Magic, Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat will participate in the play-in.
The 2026 NBA playoffs picture could have looked much different if it were not for the significant injuries some teams have been dealing with this season. The playoffs could also prove less favorable for certain teams that head into the postseason with their star players out injured.
Let’s take a look at five players who were out injured ahead of the 2026 NBA playoffs.
2026 NBA Playoffs: Top 5 injuries affecting the postseason
1) Luka Doncic
The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a significant blow on April 2 after Luka Doncic suffered a grade 2 hamstring strain against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Doncic has been the team’s leader this season, averaging 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game, shooting 47.6%.
This injury saw him become ineligible for the NBA’s end-of-season awards after missing the 65-game threshold and will also keep him out of the first round of the 2026 NBA playoffs.
2) Austin Reaves
If losing Luka Doncic was not bad enough, the Los Angeles Lakers also lost Austin Reaves during the April 2 game against the Thunder. Reaves suffered a Grade 2 oblique strain and is also expected to be out until the second round of the 2026 NBA playoffs.
Reaves averaged 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game this season and was the team’s second option behind Doncic. With both players out, LeBron James will look to lead the team in the first round against the Houston Rockets.
3) Jalen Williams
Jalen Williams has been limited to just 33 games this season owing to multiple wrist and hamstring injuries. He averaged 17.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg and 5.5 assists per game for the reigning champions.
Heading into the playoffs, Williams missed the team’s final two regular-season games. If his injuries persist, the Thunder could find themselves down a key contributor in the 2026 NBA playoffs.
4) Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered a series of calf strains and knee soreness that saw him miss the early parts of the 2025-26 season. He played 36 games, averaging 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game, shooting 62.4%.
He suffered a hyperextended knee in March, right as the Bucks were beginning to pick up steam and were in position to compete for a spot in the play-in tournament. But, missing Antetokounmpo from the lineup derailed those plans, with the Bucks ultimately finishing their season at 11th in the Eastern Conference. It might have been a different story had the two-time MVP been healthy this season.
5) Jimmy Butler
Jimmy Butler suffered a torn ACL against the Miami Heat on Jan. 19, ruling him out for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. Before he got injured, the Warriors were expected to be a challenger for the title behind Steph Curry and Butler.
He was averaging 20.0 ppg, 5.6 rpg and 4.9 apg, shooting 51.9%. Butler also made a solid impact on the defensive end. But his injury saw the Warriors’ title aspirations fade. Golden State finished 10th in the Western Conference with a 37-45 record.
While they still have a shot at making the postseason through the play-in tournament, the team’s postseason outlook has significantly changed due to Butler’s absence.
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