---
title: "NBA Stars Prepare for Comeback in 2026-27 Season"
url: https://www.heregreenwood.com/2026/08/25/nba-stars-prepare-comeback-2026-27-season/
date: 2026-08-25T11:20:21+00:00
modified: 2026-08-25T11:20:21+00:00
author: "Jake Kumar"
categories: ["Sports"]
site: "HERE Greenwood"
attribution: "HERE Greenwood"
---

# NBA Stars Prepare for Comeback in 2026-27 Season

*Source: [HERE Greenwood](https://www.heregreenwood.com/2026/08/25/nba-stars-prepare-comeback-2026-27-season/) — August 25, 2026 by Jake Kumar*

Several prominent NBA players are slated to return from significant injuries for the upcoming 2026-27 season, following extended absences during the 2025-26 season. This group includes stars like Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard, and Tyrese Haliburton, all of whom missed substantial time due to various ailments.

Kyrie Irving, a nine-time All-Star for the Dallas Mavericks, has not played since March 3, 2025, when he sustained a torn left ACL. Before his injury, Irving was averaging 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists, shooting 47.3% from the field and 40.1% on three-pointers in the 2024-25 season. He had helped the Mavericks reach the 2024 NBA Finals.

Damian Lillard, now with the Portland Trail Blazers, last played in the 2025 playoffs for the Milwaukee Bucks, where he tore his left Achilles in Game 4 against Indiana. The 36-year-old, who was an All-Star in 2024 and 2025, rejoined Portland in free agency a year ago. In 2024-25, he averaged 24.9 points, 7.1 assists, and 4.7 rebounds, with a 37.6% three-point shooting percentage.

Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers, 26, missed the entire 2025-26 season after tearing his right Achilles in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. An All-Star and All-NBA performer in 2024-25, Haliburton averaged 18.6 points, 9.2 assists, and 3.5 rebounds. He recently indicated he feels ready to return to play.

Jimmy Butler, who will turn 37 on September 14, played in 38 games for the Golden State Warriors last season before tearing his right ACL on January 19, missing the final three months. He was averaging 20 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.4 steals. The Warriors were 25-19 when he was injured and finished 37-45.

Ja Morant, 27, now also with the Portland Trail Blazers, missed 62 games last season due to a left elbow injury. He was traded from the Memphis Grizzlies, who stated he was expected to make a full recovery for the 2026-27 season. Morant is a two-time All-Star.

Trae Young, 28 on September 19, played in 15 games last season for the Atlanta Hawks and Washington Wizards, experiencing right knee, right quad, and back issues. He led the league in assists in 2024-25 with 11.6 per game and is a four-time All-Star.

Anthony Davis, 33, played only 20 games last season for the Dallas Mavericks before being traded to the Washington Wizards, where he was sidelined with a left hand ligament injury. He was an All-Star in 2024-25 and an All-NBA and All-Defensive player in 2023-24.

Fred VanVleet, 32, missed the entire 2025-26 season for the Houston Rockets after tearing his right ACL before training camp. He was an All-Star in 2022.

Domantas Sabonis, 30, of the Sacramento Kings, missed 63 games last season, including the final 30, due to a torn meniscus in his right knee. A three-time All-Star, he averaged 19.1 points, 13.9 rebounds, and 6.0 assists in 2024-25.

Jaren Jackson Jr., 27 on September 15, played three games for the Utah Jazz last season after being traded from Memphis, missing 27 games due to surgery to remove a growth in his left knee. He is a two-time All-Star and the 2022-23 Defensive Player of the Year.

Zach LaVine, 31, of the Sacramento Kings, missed the final 29 games last season after surgery for a torn ligament in his right little finger. He was averaging 19.2 points when injured.

Zach Edey, who made the All-Rookie team in 2024-25, played only 11 games in 2025-26 for the Memphis Grizzlies, undergoing two surgeries on his left ankle and one on his left elbow.

Walker Kessler, a 7-foot-2 center for the Los Angeles Lakers, missed 77 games last season with a torn labrum in his left shoulder after playing in Utah’s first five games. He was traded to Los Angeles in July for two first-round picks.