NBA Training Camp Injury Report: Doncic and Brunson Cleared as League Welcomes Back Sidelined Stars

The NBA's 2026-27 season is about to be defined by the ghosts of last year's injury report. After a brutal 2025-26 campaign that saw an unprecedented wave of lower-body tears across the league's top tier, training camps open on September 29 with a massive influx of returning firepower. The balance of power in both conferences hinges entirely on how quickly these franchise cornerstones can shake off the rust.[5]

The headline return belongs to Luka Doncic, who is preparing to open his first training camp as the undisputed engine of the Los Angeles Lakers in the post-LeBron James era. Doncic has been sidelined for what will be a 203-day layoff by the time the Lakers tip off their October 22 opener against the Golden State Warriors.[2]

Doncic injured his left thigh on April 3 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, a setback that proved resistant to routine rest and ice. After pursuing advanced stem-cell therapy, Doncic spent the summer rebuilding his conditioning in Ljubljana under longtime personal trainer Anze Macek. According to Sport Klub's Martin Pavcnik, Doncic is scheduled to return to Los Angeles on September 20, giving him a full week to clear medical evaluations before media day on September 28.[2]

In New York, the defending champions are getting their captain back at full speed. Jalen Brunson underwent wrist surgery in early July following the Knicks' title run, but the recovery has been seamless. The point guard's status for opening night was never in serious jeopardy, and the latest updates indicate he is nearly at the finish line.[1]

"Brunson is at about 80 to 85 percent after the wrist surgery that he had in July," ESPN's Vincent Goodwill reported this week. "He'll have no restrictions when training camp begins in a couple of weeks."[1]

The broader league landscape is welcoming back a staggering number of stars from catastrophic injuries. Tyrese Haliburton is rejoining the Indiana Pacers after a torn Achilles, while Damian Lillard and Kyrie Irving are making their respective returns from Achilles and ACL tears.[5]

In Sacramento, Domantas Sabonis is a full go after undergoing surgery for a partially torn left meniscus in February. Sabonis skipped Lithuania's FIBA qualifying slate this summer to ensure his readiness for camp. Meanwhile, Dejounte Murray is entering camp fully healthy for the New Orleans Pelicans; he returned from a ruptured Achilles late last season and averaged 16.7 points and 6.4 assists over 14 games.[5]

Not every contender is entering October at full strength. The Golden State Warriors are preparing to open the season without Jimmy Butler, who tore his right ACL in January and underwent surgery the following month.[3]

ESPN's Anthony Slater noted that while Butler is progressing through strengthening work, he remains "months away from being on an NBA court." At 37 years old, the Warriors are prioritizing Butler's availability for the postseason over an aggressive early return. With Moses Moody also recovering from a knee injury, Golden State head coach Steve Kerr may be forced to rely heavily on first-round pick Yaxel Lendeborg to fill the early wing minutes.[3]

In the Eastern Conference, the Philadelphia 76ers absorbed an early blow to their frontcourt depth. The team announced Thursday that an MRI revealed Adem Bona suffered a left foot sprain. He will be reevaluated just days before camp opens, temporarily thinning the rotation behind Joel Embiid.[4]

The stakes for these returns are massive. The Western Conference hierarchy depends heavily on Doncic integrating into the Lakers' system at full speed, while the Knicks' title defense relies on Brunson's wrist holding up to the rigors of an 82-game slate. For a league that spent last spring watching its brightest stars in street clothes, October cannot arrive fast enough.[1][2]