As the NBA preseason goes into action, a few notable players are dominating the airwaves with their injury updates and recovery plans. Zion Williamson, Lauri Markkanen, Ja Morant, Anthony Davis, Paul George, Jaren Jackson Jr., Dejounte Murray, and LaMelo Ball are all in the spotlight as they navigate their return to the court.
Zion Williamson is the one big wildcard, having dealt with a slate of injuries last season in which he only played 30 games. Determined to make a comeback, Williamson has transformed his body through a rigorous training regimen that includes boxing and workouts on a football field. He gives a lot of credit to trainer Daniel Bove for helping him make this transformation and adds that he feels rejuvenated.
“I really felt a shift in my body to where I would look at [Bove] and say, ‘Dude, it feels good to feel good.’ I haven’t felt like this since college, high school, where I can walk into a gym, I feel good.” – Ohm Youngmisuk
Lauri Markkanen has some obstacles in his path too as he continues to recover from a left wrist bruise he acquired in an international tournament. That resulted in the injury that has kept him from appearing in any preseason games or much of training camp. Last season, Markkanen played a career-low 47 games due to a lower back issue, raising concerns about his durability heading into this season.
Ja Morant’s current situation is an added wrinkle into that uncertainty for fans. The star guard is now officially week-to-week after he sprained his left ankle in practice earlier this week. Having seen his goal of playing all 82 games dashed, Morant’s recovery will be one to watch.
“I’m not trying to dunk at all,” – Ja Morant
Transformations and Setbacks
Anthony Davis had surgery in the offseason to fix a detached retina in his right eye. Luckily for him, he got cleared for full football activity weeks before training camp started. Davis had previously been a bit reckless with his prevailing playing weight, feeling that such over-indulgence hampered him as the season wore on.
“I never want to come in at my playing weight because then I lose weight during the season and then I’m too small,” – Anthony Davis
He mentioned how he usually drops 10 to 12 pounds like that, is feeling wonderful as he prepares for the upcoming season.
In the meantime, Paul George’s status is up in the air after undergoing arthroscopic surgery after a gruesome injury suffered during an offseason workout. Given his recovery timeline, it might not just be the start of the regular season Los Angeles Clippers center Moses Brown misses.
Jaren Jackson Jr. will probably remain on the sidelines through the very end of November. At the same time, Dejounte Murray is striving to return in January after his rehab from a ruptured right Achilles tendon. Murray has expressed optimism about his progress.
“I’ve been having fun seeing the progression, knowing that day it all happened, I just couldn’t walk and couldn’t feel my calf. It was a challenge and I accepted it.” – Dejounte Murray
Strengthening for Success
LaMelo Ball is doing his part to make sure he stays healthy this season. After undergoing surgery on both his ankle and wrist last season, Ball made the weight room his second home. He dedicated himself to rebuilding his physical strength while he healed in recovery. His dedication to remaining on the court is clear as he doubles down in the face of upcoming big tests.
Markkanen’s return underscores the challenges most athletes go through with injuries. His will to get back from what appears to only be a wrist bruise won’t be doubted. More importantly, it will keep him on the court this season.
While these may be the biggest names currently on the scene, many more athletes are working just as diligently to navigate their own unique challenges. As teams finalize their rosters and strategies for the upcoming season, the health of these star players will undoubtedly play a critical role in their success.
The entire NBA community is following along with bated breath as these dedicated athletes prepare to reenter the basketball world even more unstoppable than before. That was only a small taste of what awaits when they return to the hardwood full-time.
Looking Ahead
Hope springs eternal at the start of the NBA season. Even continent-leading clubs like Toronto, L.A. Whether these athletes—Zion Williamson, Lauri Markkanen, and Ja Morant—are able to stay healthy will directly impact how far their teams can go. How well they do will further influence the make-up of the league long-term.
As teams ramp up for a return to competitive play, they are still focused on keeping a close watch of their players’ recoveries. As they work through their rehabilitation processes and training regimens, fans are reminded of the resilience and determination required to excel in professional sports.
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