NBA injury update today: Key player news for November 21

The latest NBA injury update for November 21 brings major developments across the league. Multiple All-Stars remain sidelined, several teams have added new illnesses and minor injuries to their reports, and a handful of players are targeting returns within days. Contenders in both conferences will enter tonight’s matchups with uncertain rotations and important names still listed as doubtful, questionable, or ruled out.

Official team injury reports released this morning show a mix of encouraging progress and long-term setbacks. Big names such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Domantas Sabonis, Victor Wembanyama, and Bradley Beal continue to shape the headlines, while several role players are day-to-day ahead of key weekend games.

Latest NBA injury update: Full breakdown and timelines

Giannis Antetokounmpo remains out for Milwaukee as he recovers from a low-grade left groin strain. The current expectation places his return window within one to two weeks, depending on soreness and movement progression. Milwaukee plans to be conservative, hoping he returns before the end of the month.

In Sacramento, Domantas Sabonis is facing a multi-week absence due to a partially torn meniscus in his left knee. The timeline projects three to four weeks before reevaluation. Sacramento, already on a difficult stretch of games, now enters a critical period without its main interior facilitator and rebounder.

Victor Wembanyama is also sidelined with a left calf strain. San Antonio expects him to miss at least two to three weeks. The team is emphasizing caution given his size and workload, and his return will depend on how he responds to increased activity during rehab.

The Clippers suffered one of the season’s biggest blows when Bradley Beal was ruled out for the year with a left hip fracture that will require surgery. His recovery is expected to last several months, eliminating any possibility of a late-season return.

Across the league, several key contributors remain unavailable long-term. Tyrese Haliburton is out for the season following Achilles surgery. Damian Lillard is also sidelined for the entire campaign. Houston’s Fred VanVleet and Utah’s Walker Kessler remain out indefinitely following major procedures that will likely cost them the full season.

Miami guard Tyler Herro is nearing a return and is targeting Monday as the earliest possible comeback date following ankle surgery. Herro has yet to play this season but has been ramping up activity in practice and appears close to being cleared.

Below is a clean list of today’s most notable NBA injury updates, including status and last known update time:

• Buddy Hield, Warriors – Illness, day-to-day. Expected to play Friday. Updated Nov. 21.
• Jonathan Kuminga, Warriors – Knee, out. Expected return Nov. 24. Updated Nov. 21.
• Draymond Green, Warriors – Illness, day-to-day. Likely to play Friday. Updated Nov. 21.
• Jimmy Butler III, Warriors – Back soreness, day-to-day. Probable for Friday. Updated Nov. 21.
• Jaren Jackson Jr., Grizzlies – Ankle, day-to-day. Out for Thursday’s game. Updated Nov. 21.
• Jaden McDaniels, Timberwolves – Wrist, day-to-day. Questionable for Friday. Updated Nov. 21.
• Joe Ingles, Timberwolves – Groin, day-to-day. Questionable for Friday. Updated Nov. 21.
• Jalen Williams, Thunder – Wrist, out. Earliest return Nov. 23. Updated Nov. 21.
• Kenrich Williams, Thunder – Knee, out. Earliest return Nov. 23. Updated Nov. 21.
• Aaron Wiggins, Thunder – Thigh, out. Earliest return Nov. 23. Updated Nov. 21.
• Rasheer Fleming, Suns – Ankle, out. Expected return Nov. 23. Updated Nov. 21.
• Grayson Allen, Suns – Quadriceps, out. Expected return Nov. 23. Updated Nov. 21.
• Robert Williams III, Trail Blazers – Knee, day-to-day. Questionable for Friday. Updated Nov. 21.
• Jerami Grant, Trail Blazers – Illness, day-to-day. Probable for Friday. Updated Nov. 21.
• Shaedon Sharpe, Trail Blazers – Calf, day-to-day. Questionable for Friday. Updated Nov. 21.
• Jrue Holiday, Trail Blazers – Knee soreness. Questionable for Friday. Updated Nov. 21.
• Jordan McLaughlin, Spurs – Hamstring, out. Earliest return Nov. 23. Updated Nov. 21.
• Kyle Filipowski, Jazz – Wrist, day-to-day. Questionable for Friday. Updated Nov. 21.

The larger impact of today’s injury news is clear. Several playoff contenders are forced to adjust their lineups on short notice. Milwaukee will navigate games without Giannis for at least another week. Sacramento must compensate for Sabonis’ absence through December. San Antonio loses momentum without Wembanyama. The Clippers must restructure their rotation after Beal’s season-ending setback.

Tonight’s games will likely be defined by frontcourt depth, with the Warriors, Suns, and Blazers all facing lineup uncertainty. Meanwhile, Miami’s upcoming return of Tyler Herro could offer offensive relief just as the team enters its most demanding stretch of the schedule.

The NBA injury update for November 21 shows how quickly the landscape can shift. With major stars out and key contributors returning soon, the next week could reshape both conference standings and team momentum.