Over the past five NBA seasons, injuries and load management have become major talking points across the league. While fans tune in to watch the brightest stars on the court, many have been left frustrated as top players miss significant time.
No doubt, the availability of the league’s biggest names has been more uncertain than ever, and we have 10 NBA stars who have missed significant time over the last five seasons. Get ready, because most of these stars are heading to the Hall of Fame someday.
10. Kyrie Irving - 149 Games
Jan 29, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) reacts to fan during the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center.
Jan 29, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) reacts to fan during the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center.
Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
Kyrie Irving’s last five seasons have been a rollercoaster defined as much by off-court headlines as by on-court brilliance. The nine-time All-Star has been incredible when available, but his absences have piled up due to injuries, personal reasons, and suspensions.
Between stints with the Brooklyn Nets and Dallas Mavericks (season-ending knee injury last season), Irving’s 149 missed games remind fans of both his fragility and unpredictability, an unfortunate contrast to the superstar-level talent he provides whenever he’s healthy and locked in.
Hopefully, Irving can recover from his major injury suffered last season and get back in action to push for an NBA championship because the Mavericks have an exciting squad that could be in contention for the short-term future.
9. Klay Thompson - 150 Games
Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson (31) reacts during the third quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum.
Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson (31) reacts during the third quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum.
Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Few absences in NBA history hit harder than Klay Thompson’s two-and-a-half-year hiatus. After tearing his ACL in the 2019 NBA Finals and then rupturing his Achilles during rehab, the Warriors’ sharpshooter lost back-to-back seasons in the prime of his career.
His 150 missed games tell the story of resilience rather than decline, though Thompson returned to help Golden State capture the 2022 championship, a testament to his perseverance. Still, the injuries permanently altered his trajectory, since he has not been the same player, and with the Mavericks, he has been relegated to a role player.
Honestly, we never got to see just how high his game could’ve climbed uninterrupted. The sharpshooter still has four rings to his name, so if he were to retire today, he would be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, to his credit.
8. Brandon Ingram - 157 Games
New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) reacts to a play against Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) during the first half at Smoothie King Center.
New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) reacts to a play against Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) during the first half at Smoothie King Center.
Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Brandon Ingram grew into a star in New Orleans, but injuries have consistently kept him from fully anchoring the Pelicans’ rise. The former No. 2 pick has missed 157 games in five seasons, often sidelined with nagging ankle, knee, or hamstring issues.
His silky scoring and improved playmaking make him an All-Star caliber player when he’s on the floor, yet his unreliability left the Pelicans unable to maximize their potential alongside Zion Williamson, which is why they let him leave with the player joining the Toronto Raptors this offseason.
Ingram’s career could be one of brilliance that feels like a preview of a ceiling he has yet to reach. However, if Ingram can get back on the court with the Raptors, we could see what the 28-year-old has to offer.
7. Joel Embiid - 157 Games
Feb 20, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) wipes his face during a break in the third quarter against the Boston Celtics at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Feb 20, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) wipes his face during a break in the third quarter against the Boston Celtics at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Unfortunately for Joel Embiid, missing games is almost part of the narrative. Despite becoming an MVP in the 2022-23 campaign, the dominant center has continued to battle a string of knee and foot injuries that have cost him 157 games across the last five seasons.
When Embiid plays, his dominance makes him one of the most unstoppable forces in basketball. Yet his availability remains the biggest concern for Philadelphia, whose championship hopes rise and fall with his health.
Embiid’s challenge has never been about talent but about stringing together enough healthy stretches to translate that dominance into postseason success. As he approaches 32 years old, we might never truly see the two-time scoring champion return to his superstar form for a full campaign.
6. Ja Morant - 160 Games
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) looks on during the second quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at FedExForum.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) looks on during the second quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at FedExForum.
Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Ja Morant’s missed games aren’t entirely injury-related. Disciplinary issues and suspensions have accounted for much of his 160-game absence, rather unfortunately.
The Memphis Grizzlies’ explosive guard has shown flashes of superstardom, with his high-flying dunks and fearless rim attacks turning him into a household name. Yet, the narrative has shifted to questions of maturity or lack thereof.
Morant’s time away from the court has stunted the Grizzlies’ ability to contend consistently, making his future impact as much about decision-making as durability. Perhaps Morant's inconsistencies are a major reason why the Grizzlies have sort of blown up the roster last season by letting go of Taylor Jenkins and Desmond Bane.
5. Jamal Murray - 161 Games
Feb 24, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) in the first half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit- Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Feb 24, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) in the first half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit- Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Credit- Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Jamal Murray’s absence was one of the NBA’s most heartbreaking. The Denver Nuggets guard tore his ACL in 2021, costing him the entire 2021-22 season and leaving fans to wonder how his partnership with Nikola Jokic might have flourished earlier.
In total, Murray has missed 161 games, but his return proved worth the wait. He reemerged as a postseason hero during Denver’s 2023 championship run, reaffirming his status as one of the league’s best playoff performers.
No doubt, Murray's stint in Denver has shown how setbacks can lead to major comebacks. Still, even with the entire season missed, Murray hasn't exactly been the model of availability during the regular season, with only 191 games played over the last three seasons.
4. LaMelo Ball - 169 Games
Jan 5, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) brings the ball up court in the second quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
Jan 5, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) brings the ball up court in the second quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
LaMelo Ball entered the league with stardom, instantly energizing the Charlotte Hornets as a flashy playmaker and long-range shooter. But his availability has been a constant concern, with 169 games missed due to ankle injuries and other setbacks.
For a franchise desperate to stay relevant, Ball’s inconsistency has been a devastating blow. His amazing skills suggest star potential, yet his young career has been defined by stops and starts that can't be ignored.
There has to be a question of whether he can carry Charlotte into contention. His wrist and ankle surgeries in April 2025 are a tad concerning because, for a player under 25 years old, he has had to deal with a ton of breakdowns in his body already.
3. Kawhi Leonard - 191 Games
Sacramento, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) dribbles against the Sacramento Kings during the fourth quarter at Golden 1 Center.
Sacramento, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) dribbles against the Sacramento Kings during the fourth quarter at Golden 1 Center.
Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Kawhi Leonard has become the poster child for “load management,” and his 191 missed games across five seasons emphasize that. After guiding Toronto to the 2019 championship, Leonard’s Clippers tenure has been marred by injuries and cautious rest schedules, keeping him out of nearly half the games in that span.
When healthy, he remains one of the most efficient two-way players ever, capable of locking down superstars and closing games with the ball in his hands. But the “what if” surrounding his availability has defined his Los Angeles chapter more than the championships he was brought in to deliver.
2. Zion Williamson - 210 Games
Oct 29, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) dribbles the ball against the Golden State Warriors in the fourth quarter at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
Oct 29, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) dribbles the ball against the Golden State Warriors in the fourth quarter at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
Zion Williamson’s journey has been one of the NBA’s greatest frustrations. Once labelled a generational talent, the former No. 1 pick has missed 210 games in just five seasons, his career slowed by foot, hamstring, and conditioning issues.
When Zion does suit up, his dominance is undeniable. He can literally bulldoze defenders, finish with power, and produce superstar-level stat lines. Yet his inability to stay on the floor has left New Orleans constantly retooling around uncertainty.
Zion’s missed games have turned him from a superstar into one of the league’s biggest “what could be” stories. With two All-Star appearances to his name, the 25-year-old has time to get to the top, so we can't write him off, unlike the player who sits at No. 1.
1. Ben Simmons - 234 Games
Mar 28, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Ben Simmons (25) brings the ball up court against the Brooklyn Nets during the second quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Mar 28, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Ben Simmons (25) brings the ball up court against the Brooklyn Nets during the second quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
No star has missed more games in the last five years than Ben Simmons, whose 234 absences are one of the most dramatic declines in recent NBA history. Once an All-NBA defender and All-Star playmaker, Simmons’ combination of injuries and mental health battles derailed his career after a bitter exit from Philadelphia.
His stints in Brooklyn have been marred by inconsistency, with flashes of his old versatility buried under his lack of confidence and commitment to the game. Simmons’ fall from superstar talent to a player on the verge of retirement is truly sad.
At one point, Simmons was being compared to LeBron James, and the next, he became the most criticized and disrespected player in the NBA. The Australian never recovered from his free-throw demons, and quite frankly, with over $200 million in salary earned, he will never be in a rush to get back on the court again.
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