Man, the 2021 NBA season throws us plenty of curveballs with injuries. Take LeBron James, who missed 20 games due to a high ankle sprain. That stretch highlighted his significance. You see the Lakers' win rate dropped to 30% during his absence. And it's not just about LeBron. Anthony Davis also wrestled with a right Achilles tendonosis, sidelining him for 30 games. That's a ton of lost games for such a crucial duo. Everyone keeps an eye on them because the Lakers' championship hopes hinge largely on their health.
Looking over at the Brooklyn Nets, Kevin Durant missed 23 games due to a hamstring strain. His situation got everybody talking. You know, without him, the Nets lose a lot of offensive power. Durant averages 29.7 points per game, and missing out on that kind of production significantly affects their game plan. And it wasn't just KD. James Harden saw hamstring issues too, causing him to miss over ten games, while Kyrie Irving sat out a bunch of games, sometimes up to seven, for personal reasons. These absences meant fewer opportunities to build chemistry ahead of the playoffs.
Over in Golden State, Klay Thompson's injury remained a hot topic. You remember when he tore his Achilles, right? That devastating injury in November 2020 guaranteed he'd miss the entire 2021 season. Imagine—a player of his caliber, with career averages around 19.5 points per game and a cornerstone of the Warriors' success, stuck on the bench. His absence weighed heavily on Stephen Curry, who had to step up big time, responding by leading the league in scoring at 32 points per game. But still, you felt something missing, didn't you?
Then there's the freakish incident of Jamal Murray. The Denver Nuggets star tore his ACL in April. Brutal. He'd been averaging 21.2 points and 4.8 assists per game up to that point. Nuggets fans, and the team, feared this impact on their playoff run. Nikola Jokic, the league MVP, faced increased pressure without Murray. It’s like putting a massive dent in a finely-tuned machine and expecting it to run smoothly.
Injuries didn't spare younger players either. Zion Williamson had some tough breaks despite his beastly performance. He suffered a thumb sprain late in the season, hindering his ability to maintain the Pelicans' already slim playoff hopes. Zion, who averaged 27 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, showed massive potential. You couldn't help but wonder how long his body would handle the strain, considering his unique build and aggressive playing style.
And let's not forget, Jayson Tatum from the Boston Celtics. He missed multiple games due to COVID-19 protocols. Times he sat out varied but included crucial matchups. When a high-impact player missed time, it created a ripple effect, affecting team dynamics, morale, and performance. Post-COVID, Tatum himself mentioned struggling with stamina—something fans and experts monitored closely. You couldn't shake that concern, right?
The Sixers dealt with Joel Embiid's injury woes as well. Embiid had a bone bruise on his left knee, forcing him out for about three weeks. Without him, Philadelphia's defensive efficiency dipped. Before his injury, Embiid averaged 29.8 points and 11.3 rebounds per game, playing like an MVP candidate. His health remained pivotal all season.
Up in Toronto, Fred VanVleet faced several injury issues, including a hip strain. He missed 20 games. Missing their floor general undoubtedly hurt the Raptors’ chances, especially considering his solid 19.6 points and 6.3 assists per game. And speaking of floor generals, LaMelo Ball's wrist fracture came at a terrible time for the Charlotte Hornets. Ball shined in his rookie season, making fans hopeful for the team’s future. Missing him meant losing his exciting playmaking and 15.7 points per game contribution.
We can't ignore Kawhi Leonard's case either. Kawhi has chronic issues with tendonitis, and during the Clippers’ season, his injuries often kept him out. His load management brought frustration, but you understood it, right? When you see him averaging 24.8 points per game, managing his minutes carefully, for playoff dominance, seemed sensible. However, you probably noticed how the Clippers played differently without him.
These injuries reshaped the whole NBA landscape in 2021. You saw top teams struggle to maintain consistency and others capitalize on the opportunities. All these become reminders of how injuries are a hidden determinant in professional sports. For more on those game-changing dynamics, check out this nba injury update 2021. The season reflected not just athletic prowess, but how health and strategy go hand-in-hand in chasing the championship dream.