NBA Injury List: 5 players who could miss the entirety of the 2021-22 season

#3 Markelle Fultz

Markelle Fultz of the Orlando Magic driving into the paint against the Washington Wizards

To say that Markelle Fultz’s career in the NBA is a roller-coaster ride is an understatement. Although he hasn’t fulfilled the lofty expectations put on his young shoulders, Fultz was already starting to put together the game that made him the No. 1 overall draft pick of the Philadelphia 76ers in 2017.

More than just the decent numbers, Markelle Fultz could have been a sounding board for Jalen Suggs, the Magic’s lottery pick of this year’s draft. Someone who has had Fultz’s unique NBA experience would have been a great asset on the rookie’s corner.

The Orlando Magic are not making the playoffs this year, but they could have been more competitive with their starting point guard lacing up for them this season. There’s a chance Fultz could be sidelined for the rest of the year as the Magic have no hope of playing in the postseason.

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#2 Jamal Murray

Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets is led off the court after tearing his ACL

Jamal Murray was expected to truly breakout last season before he tore his ACL in a game against the Golden State Warriors. Without the Denver Nuggets’ starting point guard, the team lost via sweep against the Phoenix Suns in the NBA playoffs.

Despite MVP Nikola Jokic’s best efforts, the Nuggets clearly missed Murray’s shooting, rim attacks and passing. The series would have been a lot closer had Murray been around.

The Western Conference’s elite list of point guards will only highlight what the Denver Nuggets are lacking. March 2 is a tentative schedule regarding Murray’s return. If the Nuggets want to err with caution, Murray could see the court next year.

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#1 Kawhi Leonard

Kawhi Leonard emphatically slams it home against the Utah Jazz

No other player on this list changes the fortunes of a team like Kawhi Leonard does when healthy. A fully fit Kawhi makes the LA Clippers one of the favorites to grab the NBA championship.

Leonard is a devastating two-way force that is right there with Giannis Antetokounmpo. He forms a two-headed monster with Paul George on this Clippers’ team.

After having surgery on a partially torn ACL that takes around 6-9 months to recover from, the Clippers could opt to sit their All-NBA star and roll with the current lineup.

Kawhi Leonard’s long list of past injuries could potentially sway them to be very conservative with his return. The league will miss Leonard’s exceptional talents if he misses the 2021-22 NBA season.