The Indiana Pacers had three players suffer a torn Achilles tendon last season. James Wiseman, Isaiah Jackson, and Tyrese Haliburton all suffered the devastating injury. Haliburton was the last of the three to suffer the injury, having it take place just seven minutes into Game 7 of the NBA Finals. He will be out all of next season.

The absence of Damian Lillard concerns fans if the Milwaukee Bucks can contend, but they don't realize they have a deep team.

The Thunder will be involved for Opening Night and Christmas. They'll also be included in the NBA's Rivals Week. To add intrigue during an otherwise mundane part of the season, the league has branded the Jan. 20-24 period as when rivals clash.