Each season, the NBA sees a shift in player participation, but this year the trend has become impossible to ignore. The number of games missed by top players has risen, and whether due to injuries, precautionary rest, or other issues, the absence of star talent has become true for most teams early this season.
A post on X (formerly Twitter) shared a Yahoo Sports graph that illustrates just how significant the decline has become:
With most teams having played between ten and fifteen games so far, the league-wide participating rate among top players sits at just 56%, the lowest early-season mark.
This percentage includes several of the league’s biggest names. LeBron James did not make his season debut until November 18, after he sat out the first 14 games of the season due to sciatica.
Kyrie Irving has yet to play for the Dallas Mavericks due to an injury and is expected to return when the 2026 games begin. Anthony Davis has been sidelined since October 29, but he is projected to return on November 24.
In Boston, Jayson Tatum is managing an Achilles injury, but the Celtics have yet to rule him out long-term. Damian Lillard has also not appeared in a game this season and confirmed he will not play this season. Jalen Williams started the season injured and has yet to play for Oklahoma City, but the team remains hopeful he will be back on the court soon. Tyler Herro also missed the start of the season with an ankle injury, but he participated in practice on November 16 and is nearing a comeback.
Fred VanVleet suffered an ACL tear before the season, ruling him out for the year. Dejounte Murray has yet to play this season due to an Achilles injury, and the Pelicans are hopeful he will be healthy in time for the 2026 games. Tyrese Haliburton also suffered an Achilles injury, which required surgery, ruling him out for this season.
Giannis Antetokounmpo strained his groin against the Cavaliers on November 17, keeping him out of the game and on the injury report for the next couple of weeks. Paul George has played in a game this season on November 17, but did not play in last night’s game due to a knee injury. Zion Williamson has been sidelined since November 2nd due to a hamstring injury and did not play last night. Trae Young has been out since October 31 because of a knee injury.
Rising Star Victor Wembanyama suffered a calf injury in a game on November 14, sidelining him for a few weeks. Paolo Banchero has not played for the Magic since November 12 and is currently ruled out for their game on November 20. Meanwhile, Steph Curry is battling an ankle injury and did not play against the Heat last night.
The common denominator among these absences can be attributed to injury and the harsh playing style. Many stars now train year-round, participate in summer activities, and even play internationally, to keep their skills up so they remain at the top. This results in less built-in recovery time, which results in more preseason or early-season injuries or a decision to not play for precautionary rest to protect the player long-term.
Injuries such as Achilles strains, groin pulls, ankle sprains, and nerve issues like aciataica are often tied to fatigue, overuse, or limited recovery. While everyone’s situation is unique, these issues are starting to increase rather than being addressed and fixed for future seasons.
Star players drive the NBA’s entertainment value. These stars help shape national TV schedules, boost ticket sales, and even fuel the number of streaming services. When top names are sidelined for extended periods, the league feels it.
According to RMR’s analysis of the NBA’s TV ratings, viewership has dropped by 18%. One thing the article says that is tied back to this lack of playing is:
“Also, NBA players miss much more games than they did in 2012. This means you don’t always get to see your favorite players.”
The NBA has operated as a star-driven league for a long time, and having top-talented sidelines due to injuries brings a broader question about how the league can balance player health with business needs, especially as more data highlights this decline in participation.
The numbers make one thing clear: early-season participation among NBA stars has dropped significantly. The reason extends beyond simply bad luck. With injuries mounting and the amount of recovery these athletes get shrinking, both the players and the league need to evaluate how workload, scheduling, and year-round demand contribute to this, and what can be done to ensure fewer injuries and more participation from top stars.
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