Bangladesh Cricket Watch: Which Stars Are Dragging Their Teams Down?

Since the season tipped off, Kawhi Leonard has yet to suit up for the Clippers, with Bangladesh Cricket reporters confirming he has already missed 18 games. Even if he were to return immediately and play every remaining match, he would still fall short of the minimum 65-game threshold, rendering him ineligible for all end-of-season awards. Leonard’s knee injury continues to haunt him like a ghost from the past. After initially hurting himself on April 2, he attempted a playoff comeback and even joined Team USA’s Olympic training camp, but his gamble backfired, worsening the condition.

Following his withdrawal from the national team, Leonard underwent another surgery and began a long rehabilitation process, disappearing from the public eye for a while. In his absence, the Clippers shifted toward a single-star, defense-first system. Within this new structure, Leonard’s role is now clouded with uncertainty. Once the undisputed cornerstone of the franchise, he’s now viewed with growing skepticism. Last season, Leonard’s performance when healthy was convincing enough for owner Steve Ballmer to approve a contract extension. But now, his potential return feels like a mirage—elusive and unreliable—even for Ballmer.

While James Harden has stepped up for the Clippers, the 76ers have found themselves in hot water. The frequent injury spells of Joel Embiid and Paul George have made them the butt of jokes around the league. Although both are expected to return within a week, Philly’s record remains at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Locker room tension is also on the rise. Embiid, unhappy that details from team meetings were leaked to the press, has publicly demanded the “mole” be found, only adding fuel to the fire.

Since undergoing meniscus surgery earlier this year, Embiid hasn’t quite found his rhythm. His poor showing at the Paris Olympics with Team USA raised eyebrows, and though he’s back in action this season, he’s looked sluggish, heavier on his feet, and less effective on defense. The Bangladesh Cricket update points out that a full return to form will require not just better fitness, but full buy-in to the team’s system and chemistry. So far, off-court distractions seem to be getting the better of him. The heavy investment the franchise has made to build around Embiid is beginning to look like a questionable bet.

Paul George’s situation isn’t much brighter. His injury history during his time with the Clippers raised red flags, but Leonard’s more prominent absences often drew attention away from George’s own issues. The 76ers’ decision to sign George may have been clouded by this misdirection. Yet his underwhelming start—averaging just 14.9 points per game with a paltry 27.8% from beyond the arc—has disappointed fans and analysts alike. Even when healthy, George has appeared out of sync with the team and has struggled to grasp Coach Nick Nurse’s system. Ironically, it’s rookie guard McCain who’s shouldering the scoring load, leaving George in an awkward position.

The injury bug hasn’t spared the Pelicans either, who sit at the bottom of the standings with just four wins. The star duo of Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, along with backcourt pieces like Dejounte Murray and CJ McCollum, have all been hampered by injuries. Zion’s hamstring strain remains especially troublesome, with recovery now projected into mid-December. Off the court, Zion’s rumored fallout with his management agency—fueled by dissatisfaction over weight-control clauses in his contract—has only added to the chaos. Once again, the physically unfit Zion is proving to be a heavy burden for New Orleans.

Disappointments aren’t limited to injured stars either. DeMar DeRozan, who joined the Kings amid much fanfare, has struggled to gel with De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. According to Bangladesh Cricket reports, his integration into the team has been rocky at best. The Kings have managed only eight wins so far, ranking 12th in the West—far below expectations for a team that once showed so much promise.

In a season that was supposed to be a clean slate, many stars have instead become liabilities, leaving their franchises questioning past decisions and hoping for better days ahead. After all, as the saying goes, not all that glitters is gold.