Injuries Rise in the NBA as 40-Minute Games Enter the Debate

Injuries have been reported to rise unusually during the first week of the NBA season. The Oklahoma City Thunder suffered a major loss when Jalen Williams sustained a serious lower leg injury. Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star Anthony Edwards was reported to be out of action for months following knee surgery.

A team official said the start of the season has been very difficult and that they could not recall so many injuries in a first week. A scout said he did not know the cause of the injuries and could not tell what to blame. The view often voiced that the 82-game season is too long was emphasized to carry little meaning in the first few games of a season.

League commissioner Adam Silver said on The Dan Patrick Show in January 2025 that he favored four 10-minute quarters. Silver noted that the NBA is the only league where players play 48 minutes, and explained that cutting eight minutes per game would remove 656 minutes from each team's season total. Silver, who believed at the time that he was in the minority, is reported to be able to win broader support as the wave of injuries continues.

Players staying on the court for long stretches increases wear and the risk of injury. LA Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said last week that, because of the pace of the game, coaches use up to 10 or 11 players and players tire more quickly. The report also notes that the NBA Players Association's stance on the issue is a matter of interest, and recalls that the union has long prioritized working conditions and health care.