Injury Bug, or full blown Pandemic

I turned on my TV the other day to watch an extremely compelling matchup, the Memphis Grizzlies vs the Brooklyn Nets. Why I was watching this game is besides the point, and no, I did not lose my fantasy football league, and no I am not on the payroll of Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai. I enjoy watching the NBA no matter what, the top level of NBA basketball talent going against each other albeit with two lesser teams. You know, Memphis has some talented pieces plus they're a decently entertaining team to watch.

As I began to watch the game I began to realize that the Grizzlies might be a tad short handed. But then I looked closer, "Where the heck was Ja?! Where the heck was KCP?! Where the hell was rookie sensation Cedric Coward", who is averaging 13, 6, and 3 on the season (which are exceptional numbers for a rookie, don't let the greatness of Kon Knueppel dilute this fact). "Where the heck was Scottie Pippin Jr.?" I took a quick look at my phone and I soon came to realize that the Memphis Grizzlies were missing 8 players due to injury. EIGHT!! That's a full rotation in the playoffs!!

Ok so maybe this is my fault, maybe I should have realized the shell of a team that the Memphis Grizzlies were at this point in the season, and maybe I should've been keeping active tabs on the injury report. But when I say this, I ask myself, "I am glad I'm not crazy, because only a crazy person would keep track of the 2026 Memphis Grizzlies lineup like their own children."

Nevertheless, it was shocking the lack of top NBA talent playing in a regular season NBA game, and quite honestly it saddened me. People were getting deprived of watching a prime product due to recognizable players being held off the floor. No offense Jahmai Mashack. You know I love you... I turned on the game expecting the Memphis Grizzlies and instead I got the Memphis Hustle.

And the truth is, this isn’t just a Memphis problem. It feels like on any given night across the league, teams are missing multiple key players.

These injuries are not completely isolated, but they point to a bigger problem in the NBA today. Players are missing more games than they ever have. Popular MVP favorites have essentially been removed from the race because they cannot reach the 65-game threshold necessary to receive postseason awards. NBA legend Nikola Jokic post season award odds are in extreme jeopardy due to multiple missed games.  Across the league, star players have already missed hundreds of games due to injury within just the first month of the season.

Some point to the cause of this being the ever increasing pace of the game, others point to there simply being too many games in the season. These games are meant to be played with the stars on the floor and while some people like me enjoy learning who the Grizzlies 12th man is, the quality of basketball on a Monday in March needs to be held to a higher standard.

I believe that the best solution would be to play fewer games, more similar to the college model, where teams play around two games a week. Fans go to games and turn on the TV to see STARS. In the end, it is the NBA’s responsibility to make sure that the product on the court is satisfactory. On another note though I could be being extremely ignorant, and these players could actually just be getting unreasonably unlucky. 

Because on a random Monday night in March, the league shouldn’t feel like a G-League showcase.

If we aren't watching the leagues' stars on a nightly basis, then what does the NBA regular season mean?

Welcome to HoopsLore!!!

 Salutations! My name is John, and I’m a college student studying engineering with a big passion for basketball. College is amazing for many reasons—building a better future, making lifelong friendships, and learning skills that last a lifetime. But honestly? None of that compares to my favorite part of college: the discounted NBA League Pass. There’s nothing better than sitting down on a Tuesday night after a long day of classes and watching the Portland Trail Blazers and Toronto Raptors battle it out down to the wire.

The NBA is constantly evolving. Every player has a story, every coach a philosophy, and every team a history that spans decades, and some that don't (looking at you, Hornets). If you’re like me and love learning about the greatest basketball players on the planet, then this blog is for you.

I’ve never started a blog before, but I plan to post at least twice a week. I’ll cover what’s happening around the league—or sometimes just ponder questions like why Jalen Suggs wears a headband around his neck (seriously, who decided that?). My goal is to go beyond the box score and really explore the game we all love.

Feel free to comment or reply to any post—I love hearing new perspectives on the Association. Or if you just want to stop by for a quick read, that’s totally fine too :)

Enjoy the blog!