Several NBA teams have been dealt injury setbacks, with Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel, Detroit Pistons centre Jalen Duren and Golden State Warriors guard Will Richard facing spells on the sidelines, while Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Dončić was forced to miss Sunday’s encounter against Detroit through lower-back tightness.

The latest developments represent a fresh challenge for the affected teams as the 2026/27 NBA regular season gathers momentum, with Charlotte and Detroit particularly concerned about the extended absence of key players.

Knueppel has been ruled out for at least another four weeks after suffering a recurrence of a left hamstring injury, while Duren is expected to spend at least two more weeks recovering from his own hamstring problem.

Richard, meanwhile, has sustained a torn ligament in his left thumb, although Golden State are yet to establish a recovery timeline for the second-year guard.

Dončić’s absence appears less concerning in comparison, with the Lakers describing his problem as lower-back tightness. However, his condition will be closely monitored given his importance to the team’s impressive start to the campaign.

The injuries come at a time when teams are attempting to establish consistency and build momentum, making the availability of important contributors increasingly significant.

Charlotte, in particular, faces an extended period without one of its most productive young players, while Detroit must continue navigating the Eastern Conference schedule without its All-Star centre.

Knueppel Faces Another Lengthy Hamstring Layoff

Knueppel’s latest setback is particularly frustrating for Charlotte, considering the progress he made during his impressive rookie campaign.

The 21-year-old was selected fourth overall in the 2025 NBA Draft and quickly established himself as one of the league’s most promising young guards. He averaged 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists across 81 appearances last season, finishing second behind former Duke teammate Cooper Flagg in the Rookie of the Year voting.

His shooting ability was particularly impressive, as he made 273 three-pointers to lead the entire NBA, setting a rookie record in the process.

However, his second season has been disrupted by the recurring hamstring problem. Knueppel sustained the injury during offseason training in September, forcing him to miss Charlotte’s preseason programme and the opening eight games of the regular season.

He eventually returned against the Brooklyn Nets on November 4 but lasted only five minutes before experiencing soreness in his left leg. Subsequent assessments confirmed another hamstring strain, with the Hornets now expecting him to miss at least four additional weeks.

The setback also comes at a difficult time for Charlotte, who have lost six consecutive games and will need to find alternative offensive contributions in the absence of one of their most productive players.

Duren’s Absence Extends Pistons’ Frontcourt Concerns

Detroit will also have to manage without Duren for an extended period after the centre suffered a hamstring injury during the team’s 128-111 victory over Miami on October 23.

The 22-year-old has already missed six games, with the Pistons confirming that he will be unavailable for at least another two weeks. Although he has been cleared for full basketball participation, the team has opted against rushing his return.

Duren’s injury history includes several spells on the sidelines, particularly involving his ankles. He also experienced wrist and back problems during his early NBA career, while knee and ankle issues interrupted portions of his 2025/26 campaign.

His latest hamstring problem therefore adds to a growing list of physical setbacks, although the current injury is not necessarily connected to his previous issues.

His absence is significant for Detroit, given his importance to the team’s interior defence and rebounding.

Duren enjoyed a breakout 2025/26 season, averaging 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, performances that earned him All-Star recognition and a five-year, $200 million contract extension before the current campaign.

However, his production declined considerably during the playoffs, when he averaged 10.2 points and 8.5 rebounds across 14 appearances.

The Pistons will hope his recovery allows him to return to the form that established him as one of the league’s leading young centres.

Richard’s Thumb Injury and Dončić’s Back Concerns

Golden State’s injury situation has also taken a significant turn following confirmation that Richard has torn the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his left thumb.

The 23-year-old was ruled out of Monday’s meeting with the New Orleans Pelicans, with the Warriors yet to provide a recovery timetable or disclose whether surgery will be required.

Richard has become an increasingly valuable member of Steve Kerr’s rotation in his second NBA season, providing defensive intensity and reliable perimeter shooting.

He has averaged 5.1 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.0 assists this season, shooting 47.5% from the field and 42.9% from beyond the arc.

His absence is an unwelcome development for a Golden State side that has recovered from an 0-3 start to win seven consecutive games.

Stephen Curry recently praised Richard’s defensive contribution, describing him as a disruptive presence who has brought energy to the team’s recent performances.

The injury is also reminiscent of the problem experienced by Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray early last season. Murray suffered a similar thumb ligament injury, underwent surgery and missed the opening 15 games of the campaign. However, Richard’s treatment plan remains unknown.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers will be monitoring Dončić after the Slovenian superstar missed their 121-116 victory over Detroit on Sunday because of lower-back tightness.

Dončić has been in outstanding form, averaging 40.1 points per game, while his performances over his previous four appearances had produced 45.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 7.8 assists per contest.

He also delivered a remarkable 53-point performance against Portland on Friday, helping the Lakers secure a 124-118 victory.

Sunday’s absence was his second of the season, having previously missed a game against the Los Angeles Clippers on October 28.

The back issue is worth monitoring given his previous injury history. Dončić missed time with lower-back problems during the 2025/26 season and also suffered a hamstring injury that prevented him from returning for the Lakers’ playoff campaign.

He has also experienced calf and ankle problems in recent seasons, making careful management of his workload important for Los Angeles.

The Lakers, who have started the season with an impressive 8-2 record, will hope the latest setback is temporary as they prepare for Monday’s meeting with the Atlanta Hawks.

For the four teams involved, the immediate priority will be managing their players’ recoveries, with the length of these absences potentially influencing their ability to maintain early-season momentum.