Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James says he predicted rash of injuries after quick turnaround to start season - ESPN

Before James offered his best wishes to Kawhi Leonard of the LA Clippers -- it was announced Wednesday that Leonard will be sidelined with a right knee injury -- he published a series of tweets reflecting on the objections he voiced when the league fast-tracked the 2020-21 season to begin just 71 days after the Lakers were crowned champions in October.

8, possibly 9 ALL-STARS has missed Playoff games(most in league history).

Leonard, who has been ruled out for Game 5 of the Clippers' Western Conference semifinal series with the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, will be the eighth All-Star to miss a playoff game this year, which is the most in league history, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

The Phoenix Suns' Chris Paul, who could miss the start of the Western Conference finals while he is in the league's health and safety protocols, could become the ninth, joining James' teammate, Anthony Davis; James Harden and Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets; Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley of the Jazz; Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics; Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers; and Leonard.

In response to James' tweets, NBA spokesman Mike Bass said in a statement: "Injury rates were virtually the same this season as they were during the 2019-20 season while starter-level and All-Star players missed games due to injury at similar rates as the last three seasons.

The playoffs have seen the continuation of an unfortunate trend for the NBA during the regular season, when All-Stars missed 370 of a possible 1,944 games (19%), the highest percentage in a season in NBA history, according to Elias Sports Bureau research