Victor Wembanyama is set to potentially return to the court in Las Vegas this Saturday after missing 12 games due to a calf strain. His absence highlights a growing trend in the NBA this season, where calf injuries have surged significantly. According to analysis by injury expert Jeff Stotts of InStreetClothes.com, the first 20 games of the 2025-26 season have seen a rise in the number of calf injuries, jumping from 18 last season to 25 this season, marking an increase of nearly 40%.
Moreover, the repercussions of these injuries have grown more severe, with the number of games lost due to calf injuries tripling from 36 to 108 compared to the same point last season. This significant uptick raises questions about the factors contributing to these injuries, particularly in light of the NBA’s new schedule for the NBA Cup.
Recent discussions, including commentary from John Hollinger of The Athletic, have suggested that the compressed schedule associated with the NBA Cup might have led to an increase in soft-tissue injuries. However, the NBA has pushed back against this notion, asserting in a statement attributed to spokesperson Mike Bass that the data does not support the claim that the Cup has resulted in more injuries. The league noted that the number of games played this season through 42 days is consistent with previous seasons, thereby disputing the connection between the new schedule and the rise in injuries.
Despite the NBA’s rebuttal, concerns remain about the increase in calf injuries and the extended recovery times players are facing. The league’s argument that fewer star players are missing games due to injuries compared to previous seasons does not negate the fact that calf and other soft-tissue injuries are becoming more common, leading teams to err on the side of caution when it comes to player health.
As teams are now more risk-averse, there is a trend toward longer recovery times for injured players. This approach serves to protect the significant financial investments teams have made in their star athletes. While this cautious strategy is beneficial for player health in the long run, it may lead to fewer appearances from top stars this season.
In the backdrop of these developments, the NBA is grappling with the implications of player health and team strategies in today’s competitive landscape. With the league continuously adapting to new data and player care methodologies, there is hope that these trends will lead to better health management and performance in the seasons to come.