If there’s a recurring theme in this NBA season, it’s the injuries which are affecting superstars and above-average players. This week alone, NBA fans did not get to see LeBron James, Anthony Davis (returning on Thursday), Kevin Durant, James Harden, Donovan Mitchell and a handful more players on the court. 

The amount of injuries this season might be because of the short NBA offseason, lack of practice time and the tight schedule. But as always, the game goes on and despite the playoffs around the corner, there are several teams who are still riddled with injuries. These are the three teams which might experience problems down the line especially if they continue to stay unhealthy: 

NBA injury overview: Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers’ injuries are incredibly concerning because they are two relatively serious injuries for their superstars. Davis, who is set to make his return versus the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday, is coming back from an Achilles injury—dubbed the worst injury in sports. Meanwhile, James is set to return from a high ankle sprain in two weeks and it begs to ask the question: Will there be enough time for these two NBA superstars to ramp up? 

The Lakers acquired Andre Drummond, who is now their starting center but has yet to play with both James and Davis on the floor.  The lack of playing time together could affect their ceiling come playoff time and it also doesn’t help that Davis’ injury is still something to worry about (especially after what happened to Durant in 2019). The defending champions have a lot of work to do if they want to repeat but time is clearly not on their side this season, especially if they remain in the fifth seed in the NBA Western Conference. 

Brooklyn Nets

The trio of Harden, Durant and Kyrie Irving has played only seven games together. This is concerning for every Nets fan. Sure, the trio is probably the most lethal combo ever assembled in the NBA, but a team cannot just wing its way in the playoffs—just ask the Los Angeles Clippers last year. 

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Aside from superstar talent, a championship NBA team is built on chemistry, both on and off the court. The lack of playing and practice time won't help them come playoff time when they have to communicate on defense and know what on the floor they have to be.

Maybe, their NBA offense is so good that they don’t need all that, but the main question is if Durant can go through a grueling eastern conference without having to be pulled to the sidelines? Or if Harden’s hamstring injury continues? There’s a lot of uncertainty right now in Brooklyn but they just might have enough offense to figure it all out, who knows. 

Miami Heat

Coming off the shortest NBA offseason in history like the Lakers, the Heat have dealt with several injuries this season. They were one of the teams hit who was most hit by COVID in the start of the regular season as well, resulting in several players in and out of the lineup. From Butler’s ankle to Victor Oladipo’s knee, there’s still a ton of uncertainty in South Beach. 

Like the Lakers superstars, how will Oladipo ramp up come NBA playoff time? There’s still no timetable for the former Indiana Pacer but reporters did confirm that he plans to comeback this season.  The Heat are currently seventh in the Eastern Conference so it’ll be inevitable for them to escape the Philadelphia 76ers, Milwaukee Bucks or even the Nets in the first round.