The injury that’s plaguing the NBA - and makes for a wide-open Eastern Conference
In recent weeks, a number of NBA players have been hit by the same injury - one that requires a lengthy rehabilitation process.
The NBA season wrapped last month with the Oklahoma City Thunder crowned as champions. Under the guidance of head coach Mark Daigneault and led by league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder dominated the regular season with 68 wins - 16 more than the next-best team in the Western Conference.
Even more impressive? They did it with the fourth-youngest roster in the league. All signs point to this team only getting better, making them the clear favorite in the West heading into next season. Anyone with championship aspirations in that conference knows they’ll have to go through the reigning champs.
Injuries mean its up for grabs in the East
But while the West has a clear alpha, the Eastern Conference is a different story entirely. There’s no obvious hierarchy, no team that commands universal respect or inspires confident bets. And much of that uncertainty stems from one brutal reality: the Achilles tendon.
How long is recovery from a ruptured Achilles?
An Achilles tear is one of the most devastating injuries in sports - especially in basketball. Recovery typically takes at least nine months, often closer to a full year, and even then, returning to peak form is far from guaranteed.
In the East, three of the conference’s brightest stars have suffered Achilles injuries in the span of just two months. The Indiana Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton was the latest, going down in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Before him, it was Boston’s Jayson Tatum and Milwaukee’s Damian Lillard, both injured during the playoffs. The Pacers, Celtics, and Bucks - each expected to contend - have seen franchise players ruled out for most, if not all, of the 2025-26 season.
The Celtics, arguably the most complete team in the East, would have entered the season as favorites if not for Tatum’s injury. But with their star sidelined and new ownership hesitant to pay the luxury tax associated with the second apron, major roster cuts appear imminent. The plan seems to be to regroup and reload for the summer of 2026 - effectively removing Boston from the title conversation for now.
In Milwaukee, the Bucks are trying to squeeze whatever’s left out of the Giannis Antetokounmpo era. The pairing of Giannis and Lillard gave them a fighting chance, but with the latter injured and set to be waived - and the Bucks roster as whole aging - the window appears to be closing fast.
Who could win the Eastern Conference next season?
With those heavyweights weakened, two teams have emerged as potential frontrunners in the East: the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks. Cleveland finished with 64 wins and topped the conference, while the Knicks reached their first Eastern Conference Finals in over two decades. Still, both teams come with question marks.
The Cavs, despite a stellar regular season, once again faltered in the playoffs. Injuries played a role, but questions about their mental toughness persist. This is largely the same core that has underperformed in back-to-back postseasons.
The Knicks, meanwhile, boast a deep and dynamic offense but remain vulnerable on defense. The front office has already made a bold move by parting ways with head coach Tom Thibodeau. With no replacement named yet, it’s hard to project what kind of team they’ll be next season.
And then there’s Indiana. The Pacers were poised to become the new powerhouse in the East after a magical playoff run. But Haliburton’s injury likely derails those hopes - at least for now.
Could a rising team like Orlando or Detroit seize the moment? Could Philadelphia finally put it all together? Maybe. But as things stand, the 2025-26 Eastern Conference season is set to begin without a clear-cut favorite.
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