NBA InsidersMultiple AuthorsSep 8, 2026, 07:00 AM ETOpen Extended ReactionsAs the 2026-27 NBA season approaches, several key players are preparing to return to the floor following extended periods of injury.After missing all of last season with a Achilles injury, Tyrese Haliburton is set to rejoin the Indiana Pacers as they look to bounce back from a tough campaign. Meanwhile, 34-year-old Kyrie Irving makes his return to the Dallas Mavericks, aiming to team up with star Cooper Flagg and propel the franchise back into playoff contention.Other marquee players face a more uncertain timeline for their season debuts. Notably, Golden State Warriors Jimmy Butler III enters his 16th year in the NBA — and the final season of his current contract — focused on making a key impact once healthy.With an 82-game schedule ahead, our NBA insiders assess the health of these featured stars, examining who is positioned for an opening-week comeback and who will require close monitoring as the season unfolds.Back in actionTyrese Haliburton, Indiana PacersIt has been 15 months since Tyrese Haliburton last appeared in an NBA game after exiting Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals with an Achilles injury, and the landscape of the Eastern Conference is completely different. The defending champs are now in the East, a new-look team in Philly has formed, and a few other Midwest teams have continued to rise.
Haliburton led the Pacers to back-to-back conference finals trips in 2024 and ’25 and was one game away from winning the championship, but will his presence once again immediately vault Indiana back into the conversation among the East’s contenders? He has had extended time to recover and said recently he has been chomping at the bit to get back on the court. Indiana may take it slow with their superstar to start the season with the hope that come playoff time, the Pacers will be in position to shock the league again. — Jamal CollierDamian Lillard, Portland Trail BlazersWhen Damian Lillard returns to the court for the first time since the 2025 playoffs, it’ll be a homecoming, being back in Portland for the first time in three years. But two questions remain: what does Lillard have left at 36 years old, coming off a torn Achilles, and how does he fit in with a very different Blazers team compared to the one he left?
These Blazers are coming off their first playoff appearance since 2021, led by a defense-first identity and All-Star Deni Avdija. Now the Blazers will be reincorporating Lillard and their newest guard, Ja Morant, to the backcourt while trying to build off the success of last year’s team. — CollierKyrie Irving, Dallas MavericksWith Dallas destined for a lottery pick, the decision was made during last All-Star break to put Irving’s return on hold until this season. He will be 19 months removed from tearing the ACL in his right knee when training camp begins, and Irving has been ramping up for his return by playing in summer pickup games, generating Instagram highlights that fuel hope he can instantly be a co-star alongside Cooper Flagg.Teams across the league are intrigued by how, or if, the 34-year-old Irving fits in the Mavericks’ long-term plans as the franchise prioritizes building around its teenage prodigy. A healthy Irving, who has averaged 25.5 points and 5.1 assists per game in a Mavs uniform, could be a prime target for contenders before the trade deadline if new Dallas president Masai Ujiri is willing to engage in those discussions. — Tim MacMahonFred VanVleet, Houston RocketsThe veteran point guard told Andscape back in July that he’s back on the court “full-time, ramping up, feeling good” and expects to be on the floor in October when Houston opens the preseason in Macao, China.
VanVleet brings back stability and offensive facilitation for a team that struggled late in games to hold on to leads once opponents loaded up to slow down Kevin Durant. A positive coming from VanVleet’s absence last season was more development opportunities for young guards Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard, players who gained valuable experience that should carry over into 2026-27. If he doesn’t suffer any setbacks in his return, VanVleet should shine as the chief setup man for Durant and Alperen Sengun. — Michael C. WrightLooking past setbacksSteven Adams, Houston RocketsThe Rockets ranked No. 1 in offensive rebounding during Adams’ first year in Houston (2024-25) and maintained that top ranking in 2025-26 despite the center playing in just 32 games before an ankle injury that required January surgery ended his campaign.
Adams told New Zealand outlet Weekend Sport with Jason Pine that “we’re tracking that way” when asked in August if he would be healthy enough to start Houston’s season. The Rockets could use Adams’ leadership and toughness, and his elite rebounding consistently creates second-chance scoring opportunities (Houston has ranked in the top three in second-chance points for two consecutive seasons). Defensively, the 33-year-old serves as the unit’s quarterback and anchor in the paint, allowing Houston’s wing defenders to clamp down aggressively on the perimeter. Behind starter Alperen Sengun and Adams, Houston is thin at the center position. — WrightDeJounte Murray, New Orleans PelicansAll expectations are that Murray is a full go for training camp.
The point guard returned from a ruptured right Achilles tendon a few games after the All-Star break and averaged 16.7 points, 6.4 assists, 5.4 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 48.4% shooting in 14 games. He played four straight games of 30 or more minutes during mid-March.The Pelicans did not make any major moves this offseason, believing that their core of young up-and-coming players can shine when healthy. New Orleans’ biggest move was hiring defensive-minded Jamahl Mosley as head coach, who is also known for his developmental strengths. If Murray can return to form before the Achilles injury, Mosley will have a two-way point guard who will steer a group that features Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III, Derik Queen, Jeremiah Fears, Herbert Jones, Saddiq Bey, Bennedict Mathurin and Jordan Poole.
Murray and Fears, who have been working out together this summer, could be a nice one-two punch at point guard. — Ohm YoungmisukWalker Kessler, Los Angeles LakersAfter playing an average of 65.3 games per season in his first three seasons in the league — hitting the NBA awards-eligible threshold on the whole — Kessler played just five games in 2025-26 for the Jazz because of a torn labrum in his left shoulder.In his introductory news conference after being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, Kessler said the surgery on his shoulder was a long time coming.”Actually, I injured it back in college,” Kessler said in Las Vegas during summer league. “And then I was playing with it for a while. And then last year, it got a little worse. And then we decided it would be best timing to get it done then.”He is coming into his first season with L.A. after signing a four-year, $130 million deal fully healthy and ready to contribute from day one as Luka Doncic’s hand-picked big.”Sitting out a whole year definitely puts a lot of things in perspective,” Kessler said.
“The heart grows fond in absence. I think falling in love with this game again and just realizing I just want to go win. I just want to play to win.”He’ll be counted on to do so, more than ever before in his career. The Jazz had been playing for the lottery the last few seasons.
The Lakers, coming off back-to-back 50-win seasons and losing LeBron James in free agency, are aiming for championship contention. — Dave McMenaminJoel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ersJoel Embiid’s health has been the NBA’s biggest question mark since entering the league. He has missed full seasons, large chunks of time and has still managed to carve out MVP-worthy seasons.The last two seasons have been especially frustrating, as he has played just 57 of a possible 164 games with an assortment of injuries, most notably h
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