Data suggests that the NBA saw a "dramatic increase" of injuries not related to COVID-19 during the 2020-21 season.

An average of 5.1 players per game were sidelined for reasons not related to COVID-19 or illness, according to Kevin Pelton of ESPN. 

That number, which does not include players who missed games due to health and safety protocols, is the highest since ESPN began tracking the statistic in the 2009-10 season. 

Players from the All-Star Game missed 19% of the season, the highest percentage recorded in NBA history.

Players sat out 2,909 games due to soft tissue injuries, which is the second-highest figure since the 2005-06 season.

The league is expected to talk to general managers about competition issues in a formal environment soon, which may also impact next season's schedule.