Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James is poised to make his long-awaited return to the court on Tuesday night against the Utah Jazz after nursing a sciatica injury for the first month of the NBA season. His comeback comes at a critical moment for the league, which has been grappling with an alarming trend concerning star player availability.
The situation has been exacerbated as the NBA faces an increasing number of player injuries. Recently, San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama was reported to be sidelined for several weeks due to a calf strain, joining Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant, who is also out with a similar injury. Additionally, Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo exited a game early due to a groin issue. This wave of injuries has sparked concerns about the league’s reputation for having star players frequently absent from games.
Star player availability has dramatically declined this season; to date, NBA stars have missed over 200 games combined, doubling the total from the same point two years ago. The league officially categorizes a “star” based on performance in recent All-Star or All-NBA selections, and currently, 45 players meet that criteria. On average, these stars have been absent for about five games each, a stark contrast to the previous year’s rates.
The opening month of 2023-24 has seen star players available for just 67.6% of games on average, down from 87.2% just two seasons ago. As of now, stars have participated in only 56% of their teams’ games, which raises concerns that the league could witness half of its star players in street clothes on a given night, a scenario typically reserved for the tail end of the season when teams rest their top athletes prior to playoffs.
The injuries aren’t solely limited to season-ending situations, as many prominent players have been sidelined by leg injuries this season. Even when these high-profile injuries, like those of Jayson Tatum and Damian Lillard, are excluded, stars are still playing just 75% of their games, indicating a broader issue.
While James’ return will undoubtedly provide a boost, several key players—including Jalen Williams and Tyler Herro—have yet to appear this season, with the absence of stars leaving fans yearning for a more competitive league.
Additionally, the league’s new policy instituted in 2023 mandates that players must participate in at least 65 games to be eligible for end-of-season awards, highlighting a growing concern about star engagement. However, this season’s trend has shifted in the opposite direction, with many stars missing more games than ever due to injuries.
In a slight silver lining, Jeff Stotts of InstreetClothes.com noted that the total number of games lost to injury this season is not significantly higher than in previous seasons. As of now, games lost due to injury or illness remain consistent with last year’s data.
While LeBron James stepping back onto the floor is a much-anticipated moment, it simultaneously shines a light on the current star availability crisis facing the NBA. This season’s struggles underscore the importance of health and player retention as the league looks to restore its image and maintain competitive integrity.