Sabonis & Hunter Out For Season + Rockets Struggling Lately

Episode 18 of Pro Basketball Today with Coach James Young covers major injury news across the NBA and the implications for several teams. The show leads with Sacramento, where Domantas Sabonis is out for the season with a torn meniscus and De’Andre Hunter will have season-ending eye surgery, prompting discussion about Sacramento’s short- and long-term outlook and the possibility of a full rebuild. In the East, Franz Wagner is out indefinitely with a high ankle sprain for Orlando, shifting more offensive burden to Paolo Banchero and potentially Jalen Suggs while raising concerns about seeding. Dylan Brooks suffers a broken left hand and will miss 4–6 weeks, impacting Phoenix on both ends and increasing the need for Devin Booker and others to step up. Utah’s Jusuf Nurkic is out for the season following a surgical procedure, setting up broader organizational decisions for the Jazz. In “Future Focus,” the episode examines the Houston Rockets’ struggles (34–21, losing four of seven) after acquiring Kevin Durant, including late-game issues highlighted by a loss to the Knicks after leading by 16–18 in the fourth quarter, and questions about cohesion, leadership, and expectations under Ime Udoka. The segment then looks at tanking and roster direction for Utah and Washington, including Washington’s top-eight protected 2026 first-round pick owed to New York, and mentions roster pieces like Trae Young, Anthony Davis, and young core players while comparing each team’s long-term outlook. The Pistons are discussed as potentially the best team in the East based on recent performances, alongside concerns about their overly physical “tough guy” approach and skepticism about JB Bickerstaff’s playoff adjustments despite the Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren duo. In the “Final Four,” Steph Curry’s knee injury keeps him out another 10 days and makes him ineligible for end-of-season awards, creating a difficult situation for a Warriors team already without Jimmy Butler and after trading Jonathan Kuminga. Kyrie Irving is confirmed to miss the entire 2026–27 season while recovering from an ACL tear, framing Dallas’ long-term planning and a future return alongside Cooper Flagg and Derek Lively. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is out for the year after surgery on his right pinky finger, with comments on his fit and Memphis’ direction. Jaden Ivey is diagnosed with left knee soreness and will be reevaluated in two weeks. The episode closes with a WNBA labor update: the league tells the players’ association a deal must be agreed upon by March 10 to avoid impacting the 2026 season, while noting players like Breanna Stewart going overseas amid uncertainty.