The 2024-25 NBA season’s heating up, but not everybody’s made it to the party. Last night, Kristaps Porzingis finally hit the court for the Celtics, coming back with 16 points against the Clippers. His previous game, in the 2024 NBA Finals, saw him conquer their 18th Championship but an offseason surgery made him delay his season debut until the latest win. That’s cool and all, but there are still plenty of big names we’re waiting to see this season.
Whether it’s injuries, slow recoveries, or just bad timing, these absences are hard to miss. Let’s check out who’s still not playing and why their return could shake things up.
1. Kawhi Leonard
Kawhi Leonard is still out, and Clippers fans are left wondering when, or even if, they’ll see their star forward this season. He’s been sidelined with inflammation in his right knee, a lingering issue that’s plagued him for years now. The Clippers haven’t set a clear timeline for his return, although per Sports Illustrated, he may be on track to come back in more weeks, possibly January, and given Kawhi’s injury history, it’s no surprise they’re being cautious. It’s frustrating, though, especially since his ability to dominate on both ends of the floor is exactly what the team needs to reach that next level.
So far this season, the Clippers are 11-8, which isn’t bad, but it’s far from where they want to be. Without Leonard, they’ve had to rely heavily on their depth and the contributions of James Harden, who has been stepping up recently. Harden dropped 23 points in their blowout win against the 76ers, and guys like Ivica Zubac and Norman Powell have also chipped in when needed. Against all odds, they’ve been on a 5-game winning streak and Kawhi’s return could give them that confidence boost they need to keep this momentum.
The team has tried to find ways to keep the ship afloat, but Kawhi’s absence is a massive hole in their lineup. When healthy, he’s one of the most versatile players in the league, capable of locking down the opposing team’s best player while dropping 30 points on the other end. Without him, the Clippers are lacking that guy who can consistently close games and take over when it matters most.
It’s not just about the points he brings, either. Kawhi’s leadership on the floor, his ability to calm things down in tough stretches, and his playoff experience are things you can’t replace. Sure, Harden’s been great, and Zubac has held it down in the paint, but the Clippers don’t look like a team that’s ready to contend without their franchise cornerstone.
As the season rolls on, the clock is ticking. The Clippers can hold steady in the regular season for a while, but they’re going to need Kawhi back if they want to make any serious noise in the playoffs. For now, it’s a waiting game, and the hope is that Leonard can get healthy enough to finally get back on the court and remind everyone why he’s one of the best in the league when he’s right.
2. Khris Middleton
Khris Middleton hasn’t played a single game this season, and it’s been a huge problem for the Bucks. After getting surgeries on both ankles over the summer, the plan was for him to be ready for opening night. That obviously didn’t happen, and as of now, he’s still not back. The Bucks are taking their time with him, hoping to avoid making things worse, but it’s left the team struggling to figure things out without one of their key guys. As the reports suggest, Middleton will be out for the next couple of games but may be able to come back in the coming weeks, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Right now, the Bucks are 8-9, and things aren’t looking great. Middleton is the guy who balances everything—he scores, he defends, and he’s the glue between Giannis and Dame. Without him, the team’s chemistry is all over the place. Dame is in his second year with the Bucks, but it still feels like he and Giannis are figuring out how to make it work together. Add Middleton’s absence to the mix, and it’s been rough.
Speaking of Giannis, he’s doing what he always does, but you can tell the frustration is there. He’s talked about wanting the team to stay competitive, and there’s been a lot of chatter about what might happen if the Bucks keep underperforming. Giannis leaving Milwaukee isn’t something anyone wants to think about, but the way things are going, it’s starting to feel like a possibility.
And then there’s Doc Rivers. The Bucks brought him in after firing Adrian Griffin early last season, hoping his experience could steady the ship. So far, it hasn’t been smooth sailing. The team is still losing close games, and fans are already questioning if Rivers is the right guy for the job.
The Bucks are in a weird spot right now. Middleton being out has thrown everything off, and they’re running out of time to figure it all out. If they don’t get him back soon and start clicking as a team, those championship hopes are going to fade fast.
3. Bojan Bogdanovic
Bojan Bogdanovic still hasn’t played this season for the Nets, and it’s all thanks to a nagging foot injury he’s been dealing with since last year when he was with the Knicks. He came over in the Mikal Bridges trade, but Brooklyn fans are still waiting to see what he can do in a Nets jersey. As of now, there’s no clear timeline for his return, reported the New York Post, so it’s all just a waiting game, although the Nets feel like he is getting closer.
The crazy part? The Nets are actually holding it together without him. They’re 8-10 after shockingly beating the Warriors, which is way better than anyone expected, especially for a team that’s supposed to be rebuilding. The young guys have stepped up big time, but having Bogdanovic out there would be a huge boost. His scoring and veteran presence are exactly what this squad could use to stay competitive.
Here’s the kicker: Bojan’s on an expiring deal. That means he really needs to come back strong, not just for the Nets but for his own future. Whether he stays in Brooklyn or gets shipped off to a contender, he’s gotta prove he’s still got it if he wants a decent contract next year.
For now, Brooklyn’s just keeping things steady while they wait. If Bogdanovic comes back soon and makes an impact, he could be the piece that pushes them into a better spot—or at least gets them something good at the trade deadline. Either way, the clock’s ticking for Bojan to make his move.
4. Mitchell Robinson
Mitchell Robinson can’t catch a break—literally. After rehabbing a stress fracture in his left ankle from last season, he was set to make a strong return for the Knicks this year. But in October, just before the start of the season, Robinson suffered another stress fracture in the same ankle during practice. The injury required further treatment, and as of now, he’s still on the sidelines with no clear return date, said the New York Post.
Even without Robinson, the Knicks have been holding up surprisingly well. They’re sitting at 10-7 after an impressive 145-118 blowout win over the Nuggets, thanks in large part to their new addition, Karl-Anthony Towns. Towns has been a game-changer for the Knicks, providing consistent offense and filling some of the gaps left by Robinson’s absence.
That said, Robinson’s presence in the paint is still sorely missed. Towns brings the scoring, but Mitchell’s rim protection, rebounding, and defensive instincts are hard to replace. The Knicks are doing their best to patch things together without him, but his return would add a crucial layer of toughness and balance to their lineup.
For now, the team is being cautious, not rushing Robinson back and prioritizing his long-term health. Fans are hoping he can finally put these injuries behind him because when healthy, Robinson is one of the league’s most impactful defensive centers. If he can return in the coming months, the Knicks might go from solid to seriously dangerous in the Eastern Conference.
5. Bruce Brown
Bruce Brown hasn’t played a single game this season for the Raptors, and it’s starting to feel like he might not be there much longer. He’s recovering from a knee injury after undergoing arthroscopic surgery in September, and while there’s no concrete date for his return, reports indicate he is on the cusp of making his season debut in the coming games, as said by CBS.
The Raptors, sitting at a rough 4-14, are clearly leaning toward a tanking season. They’ve been outmatched in most games, and it’s not hard to see why they might want to trade Brown sooner rather than later. He’s on an expiring $23 million team option, making him a prime candidate for a midseason move.
There was always buzz about teams like the Lakers and other contenders keeping an eye on him. His ability to defend multiple positions, hit clutch shots, and bring championship experience makes him a perfect fit for teams looking to make a playoff push.
For Brown, getting back on the court is key. If he can show he’s still the player who helped Denver win it all two years ago, he could be a hot commodity at the trade deadline. Plus, proving he’s healthy and effective would only boost his stock heading into free agency next summer.
The Raptors need him to get back and boost his trade value, and Brown needs to prove he’s ready to help a contender. It’s a win-win if he returns soon, but for now, it’s just a waiting game to see what’s next.
