The roar of the crowd, the tension of a playoff game, the sweet swish of the net – these are the moments every NBA player lives for. But sometimes, fate intervenes, forcing our heroes to the sidelines. Yet, there’s nothing quite like an NBA comeback story, and the 2026-27 season is poised to deliver a monumental wave of them.
Key Comeback Narratives for 2026-27
- NBA All-Stars and crucial team anchors are set for triumphant returns after missing extended periods.
- The re-emergence of talents like Damian Lillard, Tyrese Haliburton, and Kyrie Irving is expected to significantly impact the Eastern and Western Conference races.
- Teams such as the Portland Trail Blazers, Indiana Pacers, and Dallas Mavericks are banking on these returns to propel their championship aspirations.
- Beyond just statistics, these comebacks represent incredible resilience and the enduring spirit of competitive basketball.
The Return of the Titans: Superstar Resurgences
After a grueling 2025-26 campaign marred by injuries for many of the league's brightest stars, the stage is set for a dramatic return to prominence. From career-altering Achilles tears to season-ending ACLs, these athletes have endured immense physical and mental challenges. Now, they're ready to remind the world why they're elite.
Damian Lillard: Blazer Icon's Second Act
After a devastating left Achilles tear in the 2025 playoffs while with the Milwaukee Bucks, Damian Lillard is back where his legendary career began. At 36, the former All-Star rejoined the Portland Trail Blazers in free agency, aiming to prove age is just a number. His 2024-25 averages of 24.9 points, 7.1 assists, and 4.7 rebounds showcase his enduring impact.
The biggest question for Portland is how Lillard will seamlessly integrate alongside newly acquired star Ja Morant. Their chemistry will define the Trail Blazers' ceiling in a competitive Western Conference.
Tyrese Haliburton: Pacers' Playoff Redemption
The last time Tyrese Haliburton, 26, played meaningful basketball was in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals between Indiana and Oklahoma City, where he suffered a torn right Achilles and subsequently missed the entire 2025-26 season. However, Haliburton recently offered an encouraging update on his YouTube channel, saying, “I can pretty much say I’m back at this point. I feel like I’m back in shape, but there’s a difference between being in shape and being in Tyrese Haliburton shape.”
The Indiana Pacers will be hoping their All-Star and All-NBA guard can return to his best. In 2024-25, Haliburton averaged 18.6 points, 9.2 assists and 3.5 rebounds. The Eastern Conference is deeper and stronger, with the New York Knicks entering as defending champions, but the Pacers believe Haliburton’s return can once again make them one of the conference's top teams.
Kyrie Irving: Mavericks' Long-Awaited Return
Kyrie Irving, 34, has not played in a game since March 3, 2025, when he tore his left ACL. The nine-time All-Star, who helped the Dallas Mavericks reach the 2024 NBA Finals, was still performing at an elite level when the injury occurred, averaging 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists.
Irving was also shooting 47.3% from the field, 40.1% from three-point range and 91.6% from the free-throw line at the time of his injury. After such a lengthy absence, the Mavericks will be waiting to see how the veteran guard returns following the ACL tear.
Jimmy Butler: Can the Warriors Star Defy Father Time?
Jimmy Butler, who turns 37 on Sept. 14, played in 38 games for the Golden State Warriors last season before tearing his right ACL on Jan. 19 and missing the final three months of the campaign. Before the injury, Butler was doing what he has consistently done throughout his career, averaging 20 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.4 steals.
He was also shooting 51.9% from the field and 37.6% from three-point range. The Warriors were 25-19 at the time of Butler's injury but finished 37-45, making his recovery and return an important storyline as Golden State looks to move forward.
Ja Morant: A Fresh Start in Portland
Ja Morant, 27, missed 62 games last season, including 46 of the Memphis Grizzlies' final 48 games, because of a left elbow injury. Before Memphis traded the two-time All-Star to the Portland Trail Blazers, the Grizzlies said Morant was expected to make a full recovery ahead of the 2026-27 season.
After a promising start to his career was disrupted by injuries and off-court issues, Morant now has the opportunity for a fresh start in Portland alongside veteran star Damian Lillard. The two-time All-Star will enter a new chapter with the Trail Blazers as he looks to put those setbacks behind him.
Trae Young: Time to Prove He's Still Elite
Trae Young played in just 15 games last season while dealing with right knee, right quad and back problems. He made 10 appearances for the Atlanta Hawks and five for the Washington Wizards after they acquired him from Atlanta, missing games from Oct. 31 to Dec. 14, Dec. 29 to March 3, and from March 17 through the end of the regular season.
The four-time All-Star, who turns 28 on Sept. 19, was an All-NBA selection in 2021-22 and led the league with 11.6 assists per game in 2024-25. Young has shown he can deliver 24 points and 10 assists per game, making the upcoming season an important opportunity to prove that he is still capable of performing at that level.
Anthony Davis: Can the Wizards Star Stay Healthy?
Anthony Davis, 33, has played in just 71 games over the past two seasons, including only 20 last season—all with the Dallas Mavericks before they traded him to the Washington Wizards. Following the trade, Davis was shut down and did not play a game for Washington because of a ligament injury in his left hand.
Davis remains one of the NBA's premier big men, having been an All-Star in 2024-25 and earning both All-NBA and All-Defensive recognition in 2023-24. The biggest questions now are whether he can still be a 20-point, 10-rebound player and whether he can stay healthy enough to deliver that production across an entire season.
Fred VanVleet: Veteran Leadership Returns to Houston
Fred VanVleet, 32, missed the entire 2025-26 season after suffering a torn right ACL during a workout shortly before training camp opened. The 2022 All-Star returns to give the Houston Rockets a strong veteran presence and championship experience in the backcourt.
With a healthy VanVleet alongside Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith, Reed Sheppard, Tari Eason, Marcus Smart, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Steven Adams, the Rockets believe they have the talent to compete with the best teams in the Western Conference.
Domantas Sabonis: The Kings' All-Around Big Man Returns
Domantas Sabonis, 30, missed 63 games last season, including the Sacramento Kings' final 30 games, after suffering a torn meniscus in his right knee. The three-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA Third Team selection remains one of the NBA's premier big men because of his ability to score, rebound and pass.
Sabonis put up All-Star-calibre numbers in 2024-25, averaging 19.1 points, a league-leading 13.9 rebounds and 6.0 assists while shooting 59% from the field and 41.7% from three-point range. His return to full fitness will be crucial as Sacramento looks to move forward.
Jaren Jackson Jr.: Utah's Defensive Game-Changer
Jaren Jackson Jr. missed the final 27 games of the regular season after undergoing surgery to remove a growth in his left knee. The Utah Jazz acquired the two-time All-Star and 2022-23 Defensive Player of the Year from Memphis at the February trade deadline last season, but he ended up playing just three games with his new team.
In 48 games during the 2025-26 season, Jackson averaged 19.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.0 steals while shooting 47.6% from the field, 35.7% from three-point range and 80.3% from the free-throw line. With Jackson turning 27 on Sept. 15, Utah will be hoping he can make a much bigger impact after getting limited time with the team last season.
Zach LaVine: Can Sacramento's Scorer Bounce Back?
Zach LaVine, 31, underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right, or shooting, little finger and missed Sacramento's final 29 games of the regular season. At the time of the surgery, LaVine was averaging 19.2 points while shooting 47.9% from the field and 39% from three-point range.
The Kings now want to see what kind of team they have with a healthy LaVine and Sabonis alongside Maxime Raynaud, Keegan Murray, De’Andre Hunter, Nique Clifford, Precious Achiuwa, Malik Monk and rookies Darius Acuff Jr. and Alex Karaban.
Zach Edey: A Crucial Piece of Memphis' Reshape
Zach Edey earned All-Rookie honours in 2024-25 after averaging 9.2 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks while shooting 58% from the field in just 21.5 minutes per game. His per-36-minute numbers were 15.5 points, 13.9 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game, highlighting his potential as a young big man.
However, Edey played in just 11 games during the 2025-26 season after undergoing two surgeries on his left ankle and another surgery on his left elbow. His return will be important as the Memphis Grizzlies continue to reshape their roster.
Walker Kessler: Lakers' Big Investment at Center
The 7-foot-2 Walker Kessler played in Utah's first five games last season before missing the remaining 77 with a torn labrum in his left shoulder. However, his performances over his first three NBA seasons made him a sought-after restricted free agent, particularly after averaging 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game while shooting 66.3% from the field in 2024-25.
With the Los Angeles Lakers needing a big man, Utah traded Kessler to Los Angeles for two first-round picks in July. The Lakers have made a significant investment in the young center and will be looking to support his continued growth.
