NBA players are highly paid for their talents. As a result, they are expected to see action on a nightly basis, given that fans are paying big money to watch them play.

While injuries play a role in the NBA season, there have been incidents in the past when players miss games for odd reasons. From injuries off the court and unforeseen circumstances to negligence on the player's part, there have been a myriad of strange excuses that caused them to miss games. Let's rank the 10 most ridiculous missed-game excuses in NBA history.

10. DeAndre Ayton's icy situation

The Portland Trail Blazers didn't have a good 2023-24 season after the departure of Damien Lillard. However, their roster problems grew even further against the New Jersey Nets when the team had to endure the absence of DeAndre Ayton.

With winter storms showering Portland, Ayton failed to join his team due to the thick ice blocking the roads, leaving the Blazers without a double-double threat. Fortunately, the Blazers still managed to escape the Nets, 105-103.

9. Dwight Howard's buttocks injury

Basketball is certainly a physical sport that can cause injuries, especially during a grueling NBA season. But for three-time Defensive Player of the Year, many basketball fans would agree that a buttocks injury is nearly impossible to sustain from playing basketball.

While with the Washington Wizards, Howard missed the team's first few games of the regular season due to a butt injury. It has yet to be officially revealed how Howard sustained it.

8. OG Anunoby's household chores gets him

While NBA players get business done on the court, they also have duties off the court. In fact for Toronto Raptors forward OG Anunoby, he had to take care of household chores like a regular adult.

However, unlike regular adults, Anunoby missed games for getting a cut from doing these chores. In fact, the team had to make do without the two-way player in the game against the Wizards that ended up in a Raptors win.

7. Tim Duncan's injury status as “old”

With San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich trying to put his stars under load management to keep them fresh for the playoffs, the legendary Spurs tactician made light of the absence of his stars. In fact, Popovich went as far as opting to sit Duncan out for being “old.” The Spurs didn't need Duncan's services that night after trashing the Philadelphia 76ers, 93-76.

6. Andray Blatche's lack of conditioning

It's pretty much common sense for NBA players to be in shape for the regular season. However, it seemed like Andray Blatche forgot about it during the 2011-12 season. For being out of shape, then-Wizards coach Randy Wittman decided to shut down Blatche for the remaining games of the season so Blatche could regain his conditioning.

During that year, Blatche averaged 8.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game in only 26 games of action. It's safe to say the Wizards made a mistake in giving Blatche the keys to the franchise.

5. Aaron Gordon gets chomped by his dog

Fresh from winning an NBA championship, Aaron Gordon had plenty of things to be grateful for while celebrating the Christmas holidays. However, things went south quickly for the Denver Nuggets forward. While playing with his canine friend, his pet dog decided to give Gordon some love bites. Those bites cost Gordon a two-game absence. During that stretch, the Nuggets went 1-1.

4. Jermaine O'Neal's missing passport

NBA players travel a lot as part of their job. However, All-Star big man Jermaine O'Neal couldn't have misplaced his passport at a worse time.

When the Warriors visited the Raptors in Canada, O'Neal couldn't find his passport, according to reports. Age certainly caught up for O'Neal both on and off the court as it was his final season in the NBA. The Golden State Warriors could've used his services after losing to the Raptors 104-98.

3. Rajon Rondo's birthday party

Birthdays are meant to be celebrated. However, they aren't a valid excuse to miss games, at least not usually. Instead of joining the Boston Celtics in a road game against the Sacramento Kings, Rajon Rondo opted to party in Los Angeles to celebrate his 28th birthday. On the same day, the Celtics suffered a 99-89 beatdown at the hands of the Kings.

2. Paul George's dizziness due to too much coffee

Los Angeles Clippers fans thought that they had plenty to worry about when Paul George suddenly missed a game against the Washington Wizards. During the COVID-19 pandemic era, those concerns were valid.

However, when the dust settled, it turned out that George confessed to taking in too much caffeine that caused a headache and dizziness. With George's absence, the Clippers lost to the Wizards, 117-119.

1. Kyrie Irving just didn't want to play

There was no question that Kyrie Irving's New Jersey Nets stint was marred with controversy. From his COVID-19 vaccine stance to the promotion of anti-Semitism material, Irving missed plenty of games. However, Irving continued to make headlines for the wrong reasons, especially after missing out on the Nets' victory over the Sixers.

While then-Nets coach Steve Nash remained clueless on the All-Star guard's absence, sources claimed that Irving didn't play just because he didn't want to. Many professionals will agree that refusing to show up for work just because one doesn't want to is arguably the most ridiculous excuse in the workplace.