After a season marred by injuries to star players, the 2026-27 NBA campaign is set for an influx of major comebacks. Tyrese Haliburton, Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard, Ja Morant, and Fred VanVleet headline a group of talents aiming to not just regain their form, but fundamentally alter their teams’ outlook and the balance of power across the league.
Tyrese Haliburton: Indiana’s Engine Returns
Tyrese Haliburton was the catalyst for the Indiana Pacers’ stunning 2024-25 playoff run, orchestrating the offense with a Steve Nash-like presence and generating a +14.7 net rating in the postseason as Indiana reached Game 7 of the NBA Finals. However, his torn Achilles in that decisive game sidelined him for the entire 2025-26 season, during which the Pacers tumbled to just 19 wins while embracing a rebuilding phase.
Now medically cleared, Haliburton’s comeback not only boosts Indiana’s hopes, it also triggers a major on-court reconfiguration. Ivica Zubac replaces Myles Turner at center, providing stronger screens, size in the paint, and steady hands near the basket—assets that could make the Pacers more dangerous in pick-and-roll sets. Indiana’s immediate future, though, squarely depends on whether Haliburton recaptures the form that made the team a recent Finals contender.
Kyrie Irving: New-Look Mavericks and High Stakes
Kyrie Irving missed a significant chunk of last season due to a major knee injury, and with Dallas struggling, both player and franchise pivoted towards development and the draft. The result: a No. 9 pick and a reset featuring rookie Cooper Flagg as a foundational presence.
Returning to a Mavericks roster that has seen significant turnover—Anthony Davis has left for Washington, and Klay Thompson is now with Miami—Irving, at 34, faces uncertainties. He must prove he can still perform at an All-NBA level, both to help the Mavericks and potentially enhance his trade value, as his long-term fit in Dallas is unclear. Many teams are reportedly eyeing him as a possible acquisition before the February trade deadline, but for now, the Mavericks will look to pair his creativity with the burgeoning skills of Flagg.
Portland's Twin Resurgences: Damian Lillard and Ja Morant
Damian Lillard’s emotional return to the Trail Blazers comes after a period with the Milwaukee Bucks and recovery from injury. At 36, the all-time franchise great rejoins a Portland squad fresh off a playoff appearance and led offensively by Deni Avdija. Integrating Lillard’s leadership and shot-making alongside Avdija and under new coach Micah Nori could prove vital in maximizing the roster’s potential.
Portland also welcomes Ja Morant, who arrives seeking a fresh start and an escape from a disrupted stretch—including injuries and league suspensions that limited him to just 79 games over three seasons. Morant missed the end of the previous campaign due to a severe elbow injury. Now, he’ll share the backcourt with Lillard and work with key contributors like Jrue Holiday, Toumani Camara, and Donovan Clingan. For both Lillard and Morant, personal resilience and chemistry will dictate just how far this re-tooled team can climb.
Fred VanVleet: Houston’s Steady Hand
Houston’s 2025-26 season underscored just how integral Fred VanVleet is to the Rockets. During his absence, the club, though eighth in offensive efficiency, faltered badly in clutch moments and suffered a stagnant half-court offense—especially notable during their playoff loss to the Lakers.
Now fully cleared for action, VanVleet's skillset as a floor general and secondary scorer is expected to facilitate smoother play for star teammates Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun, as well as lighten the developmental load on young playmaker Amen Thompson. Newcomer Reed Sheppard could also benefit from VanVleet’s ball distribution. If the guard stays healthy, Houston projects as a playoff threat capable of challenging Western powers like Oklahoma City and San Antonio.
