5 teams that have benefitted most from the NBA’s long layoff

Many NBA teams that were battered and bruised in March are now back to full strength as the Association prepares to resume its 2019-20 season in July. Here are the five franchises that have benefitted most from the league’s long layoff.

Portland Trail Blazers

Few teams endured worse luck this season than the Trail Blazers, whose frontline was decimated by injuries to Jusuf Nurkic, and Zach Collins. Nurkic has been out of action since Mar. 25, 2019 after breaking his left leg in a double overtime win against the Nets, while Collins has been sidelined since Oct. 27, 2020 after dislocating his left shoulder in a game against the Mavs.

The good news is that both players are healthy again and will be ready to contribute when the 2019-20 season resumes. Their imminent return has Blazers point guard Damian Lillard practically giddy with excitement.

"We’re coming back a more deep team, a more well put together team," he said on a recent appearance on Jalen & Jacoby. "We have two great centers, two great power forwards. We’re coming back deep and strong. And all that matters is winning."

Philadelphia 76ers

The NBA’s enforced "March Break" came at a perfect time for the free-falling Sixers, who dropped five of their final 10 games before the pandemic hit. The biggest reason for Philly’s poor play was the absence of Ben Simmons, who was dealing with a pinched nerve in his lower back. The sensation was so intense that the former Rookie of of the Year found himself "vomiting primarily because of pain."

At the time, suiting up against the East’s elite was unimaginable, but three months of rest and rehab have helped Simmons to recover fully. His vision and improved defense will be welcome additions to a Philly squad with serious championship aspirations.

Indiana Pacers

The Pacers suffered a potentially devastating loss in early March when Malcolm Brogdon tore his left quadriceps. Many believed the injury would cost Indiana homecourt advantage in the playoffs, but it turns out those fears were premature given the league’s sudden – and unexpected – work stoppage.

The Pacers recently released a video in which the 27-year-old point guard confirmed he’s back to 100%, and has been doing his best to remain in game shape despite the less-than-ideal conditions.

Brogdon’s return is a big blow for the rest of the Eastern Conference as he was averaging a career-high 16.3 points and 7.1 assists per game and had shown tremendous synergy with two-time All-Star Victor Oladipo in their limited time together on the court.

Toronto Raptors

Toronto’s quest to win back-to-back championships nearly came off the rails in early March when the Raptors lost guards Norman Powell and Fred VanVleet to injuries. VanVleet missed his first of six games on Feb. 28 due to left shoulder pain, and Powell went down on Mar. 9 with a sprained left ankle.

Both players have since bounced back and are eager to guide the 46-18 Raptors on another deep playoff run.

Memphis Grizzlies

In a season full of surprises, no team delivered more unexpected moments than the Grizzlies, who claimed the eighth seed in the Western Conference despite having one of the league’s youngest – and most banged up – rosters.

At the time play was suspended on Mar. 11, Memphis was without Jaren Jackson jr., who had just missed his ninth straight game with a left knee sprain, rookie Brandon Clarke, who had been in street clothes since Feb 24. with a right quadriceps strain, and Justise Winslow, who had yet to play a game since being acquired from the Heat on Feb. 6.

Memphis is still years away from winning a championship, but with all three players now available they have a chance to make some noise in a first round matchup.

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