One of the great aspects of the NBA is the sheer amount of randomness that occurs at the start of the season. From buzzer beaters to jaw-dropping dunks to surprise teams and players, the unpredictable always happens in The Association. One of those acts of randomness are injuries which, unfortunately, are unpreventable.
Injuries to key players can often derail a team's entire season, and there's no shortage of franchises dealing with at least one sidelined player.
As the 2016-17 season is about to tip off, here is a breakdown of the notable players that are injured for each team:
Atlanta Hawks
- Out until mid-November (hamstring)
Unable to catch a break since getting traded to the Hawks last summer, Splitter is out for a considerable amount of time due to an injury. Splitter strained his hamstring during a practice, which will force him to miss a month or more of action, which includes the start of the season. He won't return until around mid-November.
Brooklyn Nets
- No timetable for return (foot)
When he was drafted in June, LeVert was recovering from a foot injury, which prevented him from playing in summer league. LeVert has begun to do light practice with the team but his timetable is still undetermined.
Boston Celtics
- No timetable for return (shoulder)
Correcting a lingering issue suffered last season, Olynyk had offseason shoulder surgery which he is still recovering from. The timing of his return is, which is not that ideal for the Celtics. Olynyk helps to stretch the floor with his shooting and his length helps Boston on defense.
- Could miss start of season (ankle)
Spraining his left ankle in Boston's final preseason game on Thursday, Smart may end up missing the Celtics' season opener, according to CSN New England. While this is a blow for Boston's second unit, the Celtics have plenty of guards like Terry Rozier who can admirably fill in for Smart until his ankle heals.
Charlotte Hornets
- Could miss start of season (bone bruise)
Nursing a bone bruise that he suffered in the playoffs last season, Zeller has yet to play in the preseason. Zeller has however been progressing on schedule, according to the Hornets, but he could miss the start of the season. Charlotte has some depth at center with Roy Hibbert, Spencer Hawes and Frank Kaminsky, but Zeller's tenacity and ruggedness is a big part of the Hornets' starting unit.
- Could miss start of season (finger)
Marvin Williams: The veteran forward suffered a "non-displaced" finger fracture on his left hand during a recent practice and will miss Charlotte's last preseason game. Williams could be available for the Hornets' season opener as the injury doesn't appear to be serious.
Chicago Bulls
- Could miss two weeks (ankle)
The Bulls rookie sprained his ankle early in the preseason and is expected to miss upwards of two weeks. The injury isn't severe so Valentine should be back at the start of the season.
Dallas Mavericks
- Could miss start of season (knee)
Salah Mejri: Mejri was part of Dallas' playoff rotation last season and seemed destined for the normal rotation, but knee surgery has limited him in training camp and he has yet to play in preseason. However, Mejri is making progress and will likely play in one or two of Dallas' final preseason games. Mejri will probably be Dallas' third-string center so there is no need to rush him back before he is 100 percent.
Denver Nuggets
- Out until early November (groin)
Expected to have a breakout season, Harris partially tore his groin muscle early in preseason and will now miss four to six weeks. The Nuggets have significant depth at the guard position with rookie Jamal Murray and Will Barton, but Denver will miss Harris' defense and 3-point shooting. Harris is expected to return around early November, which means he will only be out for the first few weeks of the regular season.
- No timetable for return (knee)
Arthur had offseason knee surgery and is still going through the rehab process. He missed the majority of training camp and has yet to participate in non-contact drills. Arthur likely will not be fully healthy until after the season begins.
Detroit Pistons
- Out until late Nov./early Dec. (knee, thumb)
The Pistons were expected to make some noise in the East and improve off last year's playoff showing, yet a lingering knee and thumb issue has forced Jackson out for a good chunk of the season. Jackson underwent platelet-rich plasma treatment on his knee and thumb and is expected to miss six to eight weeks. He will likely miss 15 to 20 games and should return around late November or early December. Detroit doesn't have that much depth at the point guard position so Jackson's absence is a big one for the Pistons.
Houston Rockets
- No timetable for return (knee)
Dealing with a left knee injury, Beverley may need surgery. If that happens, Beverley will likely miss a good portion of the season. Houston has some depth at the guard position, and of course James Harden will have the ball in his hands more often than not, but Houston will miss Beverley's tenacity on defense while he remains out.
Indiana Pacers
- No timetable for return (knee)
Miles is experiencing soreness in his left knee, and his return date is undetermined. He does not need surgery, which is a positive, but will keep resting until he is cleared to play and is no longer dealing with the pain.
Memphis Grizzlies
- Could miss start of season (knee)
Parsons was Memphis' big free-agent acquisition this summer, but he is still recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery, which he underwent in March. However, Parsons has slowly been ramping up his training and is now engaging in limited contact during practices. He hasn't played in any preseason games, but the Grizzlies remain hopeful that Parsons will be ready at the start of the season.
Miami Heat
- No timetable for return (blood clots)
After failing a team physical due to recurring blot clot issues, team president Pat Riley declared that Bosh's tenure with the Heat is officially over. Bosh isn't planning on retiring, but Miami has moved on and he will likely never play for the Heat again.
- No timetable for return (foot)
Though he somehow played in Game 7 in the second round of last season's playoffs with a broken foot, McRoberts is still dealing with complications from that injury -- which has limited him in training camp and will likely keep him out to start the season. His timetable for return is undetermined.
- Could miss start of season (knee)
The Heat shooting guard tore a ligament in his right knee in early September but did not need surgery. Richardson was expected to miss six to eight weeks, which sets his return for around the start of the season. With Dwyane Wade leaving for Chicago, Richardson was expected to build on his stellar rookie season and take on a larger role this season. This injury could cause him to have a slow start but as it isn't that major, he should be able to have a solid sophomore year when he returns.
Milwaukee Bucks
- Out six months (hamstring)
This is a big one. With the expected growth of its young core, Milwaukee was poised to make some noise in the East and possibly make a return to the postseason, but then Middleton tore his hamstring in September. Middleton had to have surgery and is expected to miss six months, which puts his return for around late March. Milwaukee did deal Michael Carter-Williams for Tony Snell, who could be a suitable replacement at the 2 spot, but he's not the player Middleton has proven to be. This is a tough blow for Milwaukee any way you cut it.
Minnesota Timberwolves
- Out for season (ankle)
Nikola Pekovic: Pekovic will miss the entire season due to an ankle issue, and with his history of injury problems, the Timberwolves have basically cut ties with him. His NBA career could be over.
New Orleans Pelicans
- No timetable for return (personal)
Holiday dealt with injuries over the last couple seasons and played in a limited role for the majority of last year. He is healthy now and was expected to be back as the Pelicans' full-time starting point guard. However his wife had to undergo brain surgery so Holiday will miss the start of the season to help with her recovery. This is obviously bigger than basketball and whenever Holiday returns, he will. The Pelicans will turn to E'Twaun Moore and Tim Frazier in his absence.
- No timetable for return (knee)
Evans had knee surgery in February and missed the final part of last season. He is still recovering and rehabbing from the surgery and could be out until December, though the Pelicans have not set an official return date. Rookie Buddy Hield, Langston Galloway and maybe even Lance Stephenson will replace Evans in the lineup while he is out.
- No timetable for return (knee)
Pondexter missed the entire 2015-16 season after having arthroscopic knee surgery in May 2015. Despite a whole year of rehab and recovery, Pondexter's left knee is still not at 100 percent and the Pelicans have not made an official update on when he will return. GM Dell Demps did say on media day that Pondexter could possibly return in either December or January.
Oklahoma City Thunder
- No timetable for return (foot)
The second-year guard broke his right foot in late September but opted to not have surgery. Payne's timetable for return is undetermined as the Thunder don't want to rush him back. He will be re-evaluated in late October or early November and if the bone isn't healing properly, Payne may be forced to have surgery. The Thunder don't have a ton of depth at the point guard position and will have to rely on veteran Ronnie Price off the bench.
Orlando Magic
- Out until November (foot)
Orlando traded for Meeks this past summer but offseason surgery on his right foot has prevented him from participating in training camp or playing in the preseason. Meeks is expected to return in November.
Philadelphia 76ers
- No timetable for return (foot)
The No.1 overall pick rolled his ankle during a team scrimmage in September and had to undergo surgery " to repair an acute Jones fracture of the fifth metatarsal." This is quite a blow for the Sixers and for Simmons. The Sixers have not given a timetable for Simmons' return and with the risk of re-injury, it is possible he could miss the entire season. However, Sixers coach Brett Brown believes the No. 1 overall pick could be back in January.
- No timetable for return (knee)
After dealing with soreness in his left kneee, Noel opted to have minor surgery to repair the issue. But while this a minor injury, the Sixers have not provided a timetable for Noel's return. Jahlil Okafor will likely get the lion's share of minutes at the center spot unitl Noel returns.
- No timetable for return (wrist)
Bayless was going to provide some veteran leadership as the Sixers' starting point guard but he has been dealing with a wrist injury throughout the preseason and hasn't played. According to the Sixers, Bayless is opting for a "non-surgical option to address the injury," so he shouldn't miss too much time. However, Bayless will likely miss at least the start of the season.
Phoenix Suns
- Out until mid November (back)
The versatile forward had back surgery in September and was given a timetable of six to eight weeks. That gives Tucker a return date of around early to mid November.
Portland Trail Blazers
- No timetable for return (knee)
One of Portland's main free agent acquisitions, Ezeli has been limited throughout training camp and has no true timetable for return after having an offseason procedure on his left knee. Portland has a ton of depth at center with Mason Plumlee and Meyers Leonard, and it can also slot Ed Davis at the five. But Ezeli is the one true rim protector the Blazers have. Ezeli's procedure was relatively minor so he should return at some point early in the season.
Sacramento Kings
- To miss eight games (suspension)
Collison is healthy and has been playing in preseason, but he is suspended for the first eight games of the regular season for domestic violence. The Kings will likely turn to Ty Lawson while Collison is serving his suspension.
San Antonio Spurs
- Out until November (quad strain)
Green has a left quad strain and will miss about three weeks of action. The Spurs do have depth at the two-guard position with Manu Ginobili and Jonathon Simmons but they will Green's shooting and defense.
Toronto Raptors
- Out until late Dec./early Jan. (shoulder)
Wright played sparingly in his rookie season and now his second year with the Raptors won't even start for some time. The Raptors guard had shoulder surgery in early August and was ruled out for four months. He will likely return in late December or early January.
- Out until late Oct./early Nov. (foot)
Sullinger injured his foot in Toronto's first preseason game and hasn't played since. And while this is a minor injury, Sullinger may now miss some time at the start of the season. Toronto will likely turn to Patrick Patterson in Sullinger's absence.
Utah Jazz
- Out 4-6 weeks (finger)
After breaking his finger in practice, Hayward is expected to miss four to six weeks. This means he will miss the start of the regular season and likely make a return in mid-to-late November. Hayward is Utah's main star and his absence will be felt thoroughly. Utah does have some depth with the addition of Joe Johnson and the continued development of Rodney Hood, but Utah has high hopes this year and Hayward has to be central player for any of those hopes to become a reality.
- No timetable for return (knee)
Burks had knee surgery in June and the Jazz have not given a timetable for his return. He has not been cleared for contact yet.
- Day-to-day (knee)
Favors is dealing with soreness in his left knee and has missed practices and preseason games because of it. This is not a serious injury, though. Favors is listed as day-to-day and will likely be ready to play at the start of the season.
Washington Wizards
- Out 4-6 weeks (knee)
Expected to provide some depth at center for the Wizards, Mahinmi recently underwent knee surgery and will miss four to six weeks. The Wizards should sustain without him as they have Marcin Gortat and can even play small with Markieff Morris. Mahinmi will likely return in late November or early December.
