Gordon Hayward
Because of the timing (not even a quarter into the first game of the season) and the visceral nature of his injury (dislocated his ankle and fractured his tibia), it’s hard to erase the incident from one’s head. But the pain goes beyond the physical and the visual. The Celtics swingman looked forward to a new beginning in Boston, and talk was rightfully rife that Boston had the tools to make it all the way to the finals. In one bad, ugly fall, however, that optimism has been vaporized. He’s had surgery already and, fortunately, he’s still listed as doubtful for the season, which means he may still return at one point later in the current campaign. Ken Blaze, USA Today Sports/Reuters
Jeremy Lin
Like Hayward, the Nets point guard didn’t even get past the season opener when he ruptured his patella tendon. The stakes for Brooklyn aren’t quite on the same level as the title-focused Celtics but Lin, who is expected to miss the season, was ready for a breakout year for a Brooklyn squad looking to make some noise in a watered-down Eastern Conference. File/Reuters
Chris Paul
Another first-game casualty, Paul’s knee injury, which occurred in the Rockets-Golden State Warriors game, will have him sidelined until next month, depending on which source is quoted. The Rockets playmaker’s status has also been tagged as “week-to-week,” which means James Harden will return to starting point-guard duties as Houston awaits Paul’s full recovery. Kyle Terada, USA Today Sports/Reuters
Jonas Valanciunas
The Raptors center sprained his left ankle against Philadelphia, just Toronto’s second game, putting a damper on his 23-point, 15-rebound season debut. He could be back in the Raptors’ upcoming 6-game road trip. Nick Turchiaro, USA Today Sports/Reuters
Hassan Whiteside
The Heat center bruised his left knee in Miami’s season debut against Orlando. His status is day-to-day. File/Reuters
Aaron Gordon/Elfrid Payton
Gordon, who sprained his left ankle in the Magic’s season-opener against Miami, looks to return this week.
Meanwhile, no timetable has been set for the return of Payton, who suffered a strained left hamstring against Brooklyn, Orlando’s second game of the season. File/Reuters
Rodney Hood
The Jazz shooting guard went down with a strained left calf against Minnesota. He has started practicing with the team and could be back this week. Chris Nicoll, USA Today Sports/Reuters