In the NBA, most teams begin the season with optimism. And then, an unexpected absence can snap a team back to reality. It doesn’t have to be a star player. Often, a role player can make as much of an impact as a star player. And in a Western Conference where every game counts even in November, these early role-player injuries can have a significant impact not just on the playoff race, but on the teams’ future as well.
Three Overlooked Injuries That Could Shake Up the West
The last couple of years have proved that in the Western Conference playoff race, the difference between third place and a play-in spot is often a hot week or a minor injury. Right now, some of the teams at the top are facing challenging times, and these minor injuries could be the difference between hosting the Western Conference Semifinals at home or playing on the road.
Tari Eason – Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are one of the hottest teams in the league. Despite losing Fred VanVleet and starting slow, they have found their rhythm. Tari Eason is a huge part of that. He is their best three-point shooter so far.
Here is a fun fact: the Rockets are first in the league in three-point percentage but last in attempts. Losing Eason, who is shooting 50.9% from three this season, could hurt their overall spacing. The Rockets were already thin on shooters to begin the season, and now they will have even more challenges. Right now, they are tied for third in the Western Conference, going 9–1 in their last 10 games.
However, with Eason missing four to six weeks, they might come back down to Earth. The good news is that the schedule is rather easy until the end of the year, when Eason should be back.
Christian Braun – Denver Nuggets
Christian Braun has been the best perimeter defender for the Denver Nuggets. After signing an extension this summer, he is having a good season. Yes, he is struggling from the three-point arc a bit, but Braun has been great on defense for the Nuggets. He and Aaron Gordon are the big reasons why the team is third in defensive rating so far this season.
Without Braun, the Nuggets will have to rely more on Peyton Watson. He is another good defender, but their depth at the defensive end will be challenged. They will have plenty of games against great guards until the end of the year, putting more pressure on the frontcourt to deal with guards driving to the hoop.
Derrick Jones Jr. – Los Angeles Clippers
Unlike the previous two teams, the Los Angeles Clippers are not in position for a high playoff spot right now. But the injury to Derrick Jones Jr. could have huge implications for the team—not just this season, but going forward as well. Jones is shooting 34.8% from deep on 3.5 attempts per game, making him a valuable part of the rotation.
The Clippers are already short on shooters, limiting the effectiveness of James Harden and Ivica Zubac. And the worst part is, the Clippers do not own their pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. If they continue to lose, the Thunder might get a top-five pick in the draft. That is something that most teams in the Western Conference would hate to see.
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