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Five NBA teams who could be in trouble to start the season
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21). Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Five NBA teams who could be in trouble to start the season

The NBA season begins Oct. 22, and that date is coming far too soon for some teams. Whether it's injuries, revamped lineups or simply brutal early schedules, here are five teams likely to struggle in the 2024-25 NBA season's first month.

Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers would love to get the top seed in the Eastern Conference for a second straight year, but they'll start the campaign shorthanded. Starting small forward Max Strus is out 3-4 months with a Jones fracture. Darius Garland has been dealing with turf toe since the end of the 2024-25 season, and only scrimmaged for the first time Tuesday. Backup point guard Lonzo Ball is healthy, but played only 35 games last season due to injuries.

Due to last year's success, the Cavs are on TV a lot early, and play four of their first five games against 2025 playoff teams. The good news? They don't have to face a team from the superior Western Conference until Nov. 15.

Sacramento Kings

Keegan Murray is out until Thanksgiving. Russell Westbrook joined the team a week before the season. The Sacramento Kings had the worst three-point defense in the NBA last season and they have to face the Oklahoma City Thunder (37.4 percent three-point percentage, No. 3 offense in NBA) three times in the first month, the Minnesota Timberwolves (37.7 percent, No. 8 offense) twice and the Denver Nuggets (37.7 percent, No. 4 offense) twice.

Adding Westbrook doesn't seem like enough for this Kings team, which will have to score a ton to stay afloat in the first four weeks.

Philadelphia 76ers

It should come as no surprise that the Philadelphia 76ers are dealing with injuries to start the season. Jared McCain has an injured thumb. Trendon Watford has a hamstring injury. Paul George will miss the start of the season after having knee surgery in July. Joel Embiid hasn't played since Feb. 22, though the Sixers thing he could play in the season opener.

They're looking at beginning the season with a very limited group of front court players, starting sophomore Aden Bona at center and either Justin Edwards or Kelly Oubre at power forward, both undersized for the role. Even if George and Embiid return, don't expect them to play back-to-backs — and they have three in their first 10 games.

San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs will have to wait for their ambitious pairing of De'Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama to play together, since Fox's hamstring will keep him out at least the season's first two weeks. They do have Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle and No. 2 pick Dylan Harper to fill in at point guard, but the Spurs could be very challenged offensively until Fox is back. 

Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies won 48 games last season. While they traded sharpshooter Desmond Bane after the season, the team pivoted by adding Ty Jerome and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in the backcourt. The issue in October and November is the Grizzlies front court. Centers Zach Edey and Brandon Clarke will be out to start the season. Jaren Jackson, Jr. had offseason toe surgery and returned for Wednesday's preseason game, but may be managing his minutes to start the season.

Throw in Ja Morant's sprained ankle and Scotty Pippen, Jr.'s sore toe and you have a battered Grizzlies lineup. They do get to play eight of their first 11 games at home, but a tough four-game road trip to New York, Boston, Cleveland and San Antonio in November could be brutal.

Sean Keane

Sean Keane is a sportswriter and a comedian based in Oakland, California, with experience covering the NBA, MLB, NFL and Ice Cube’s three-on-three basketball league, The Big 3. He’s written for Comedy Central’s “Another Period,” ESPN the Magazine, and Audible. com

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