The NBA moved up the start of the regular season in order to reduce the number of back-to-back games, but many executives and coaches wonder if cutting the number of preseason games in half had unintended consequences in terms of injuries.

"That's absolutely because of the shortened preseason," said one top executive from a Western Conference team.

The NBA changed the length of the preseason instead of reducing the 82-game schedule. That schedule could change and even Adam Silver has softened his stance.

"There's nothing magical about 82 games," Silver said in October, per Sam Amick of USA Today. "It's been in place for 50 years, but for the long-term planning of the league, as we learn more about the human body and the wear and tear of travel and the competitive landscape...invariably we'll look at the regular season."

Steve Kerr believes the Warriors suffered a setback in their conditioning due to their preseason trip to China. But Kerr does not believe Stephen Curry's ankle injury is related to those issues.

"I know injuries are up overall around the league, but whether that's due to the schedule is pure speculation." Kerr tells B/R. "I think the schedule is definitely good in terms of cutting back the load of back-to-backs and four-in-fives. But I didn't feel like we were ready for the first two weeks of the season because of [the shortened preseason]. How that affects injuries I have no idea."

The NBA is also playing faster than it has in over two decades, as pace has increased in each of the last six seasons.