Still Waiting: The NBA Players Yet To Make Their Debut This Season

Joel Piton
Nov 21
2 min read

After a long wait, LeBron James finally made his long-anticipated return to the court this week against against the Utah Jazz, followed by Paul George against the Bucks. But while these two decorated stars are back, several others remain notably absent. Some are All-Stars with uncertain timetables. Others are key starters working through rehab, and a handful of role players are simply waiting for the green light to suit up. Whether sidelined by injury, conditioning setbacks, or team decisions, these players haven’t logged a single regular-season minute yet, and their eventual return could significantly shift the trajectory of their teams.

LeBron has checked in, but let’s take a look at the notable names who still haven’t:

Jalen Williams (OKC)

Last Game: June 22

Estimated Return: November 23

Injury: Wrist

Tyler Herro (MIA)

Last Game: April 28

Estimated Return: November 24

Injury: Ankle

Terry Rozier (MIA)

Last Game: April 13

Estimated Return: N/A

Injury: Immediate Leave (Gambling Charges)

Dejounte Murray (NOP)

Last Game: January 31

Estimated Return: January 2

Injury: Achilles

Kyrie Irving (DAL)

Last Game: March 3

Estimated Return: January 1

Injury: ACL

Jaden Ivey (DET)

Last Game: January 1

Estimated Return: November 26

Injury: Fibula

Max Strus (CLE)

Last Game: May 13

Estimated Return: Mid-December

Injury: Foot (Jones fracture)

Scott Henderson (POR)

Last Game: March 27

Estimated Return: Dec 5

Injury: Hamstring

Moritz Wagner (ORL)

Last Game: December 21

Estimated Return: November 25

Injury: Knee

Brandon Clarke (MEM)

Last Game: March 19

Estimated Return: January

Injury: Knee (PCL sprain)

Dorian Finney-Smith (HOU)

Last Game: April 30

Estimated Return: November 24

Injury: Ankle

De'Anthony Melton (GSW)

Last Game: November 12, 2024

Estimated Return: December 2

Injury: ACL

Grant Williams (CHA)

Last Game: November 23, 2024

Estimated Return: November 23, 2025

Injury: Knee

Zach Collins (CHI)

Last Game: April 16

Estimated Return: December 1

Injury: Wrist

Georges Niang (UTA)

Last Game: April 18

Estimated Return: November 24

Injury: Foot

Ty Jerome (MEM)

Last Game: May 13

Estimated Return: November 24

Injury: Calf

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It’s wild to think that these players have yet to touch the floor—and these are just the players we expect to return this season. This list doesn’t even include the long-term season-ending injuries.

At some point, the conversation shifts from “load management” to something much bigger. As teams juggle medical timelines with high-mileage careers, it raises a real question: Is the 82-game season simply too demanding for today’s NBA pace, intesity, and schedule density? Would a 72-game season help protect players, extend careers, and keep stars on the floor? Should the NBA seriously consider trimming the schedule?