5 of the most injury-prone NBA players entering the 2021-22 season

#3 Kristaps Porzingis

Kristaps Porzingis with the Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks cannot count on the fact that Kristaps Porzingis will spend an entire season healthy with them and then stay fit for the NBA playoffs. He has played 100 games in the last three seasons combined and also not been reliable in the playoffs. The longest stretch of games he played in that span was 23 games.

The Mavericks did not make a splash in this offseason and have made only a few mediocre moves. Luka Doncic is heading into his fourth season in the league and could very well be an MVP candidate. If Kristaps Porzingis is not healthy for the majority of the season and postseason, the Mavericks are heading for another mediocre campaign.

Kristaps Porzingis on whether he worries he’s injury prone:“No, I’m not and I shouldn’t be. ... I truly believe with a good offseason, working on my movements and things like that, I’ll be healthy and I’ll be able to stay healthy for a long time.” pic.twitter.com/xwB8mYTBZt

— Callie Caplan (@CallieCaplan) May 10, 2021

#4 Klay Thompson

Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors

Klay Thompson is coming off two consecutive season-ending injuries. He injured the ACL on his right knee during the 2019 NBA Finals and then he tore his right Achilles during his ACL rehab. He is now two years removed from NBA action and is projected to return around Thanksgiving or Christmas 2021.

Kevin Durant returned from an Achilles injury after 18 months and John Wall returned after 24 months. Even after their long haituses, they faced a bevy of injury problems and were often sidelined due to injury management.

We can expect the same from Klay Thompson, who will take weeks, maybe months, to adjust back to NBA-level action.

As much as we want him to step on the floor and immediately sweep us off our feet, Klay Thompson is returning after consecutive season-ending injuriesHe is not expected to return to his All-Star self right away & will likely pace himself at firsthttps://t.co/gILr47EvXj

— Kunal Sethi (@KunalSethiBBnBB) August 25, 2021

#5 Joel Embiid

Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers

As much as Joel Embiid looks like a beast, he is surprsingly injury-prone. He was drafted in 2014 but has played just two full seasons in his career till now. He did not play his first two seasons in the NBA due to a foot injury and didn't make his debut until October 26th, 2016. Many believe his injury last season cost him the MVP award as he was a favorite to win it prior to getting hurt. He eventually finished second in the MVP race behind Nikola Jokic.

Joel Embiid played through injury during the 2021 NBA playoffs as well and was visibly hurt from the torn meniscus. He will need to put up an entire season without getting hurt to make an impact in the playoffs. The 76ers can load manage and make him play less games but his health and fitness should be the utmost priority for the team.