Author: Matt Eppers, USA TODAY

Just when Gordon Hayward looked to be back in top form, injury struck again when he fractured his left hand in a collision with LaMarcus Aldridge.

Sixers star Ben Simmons did not play in the second half with what the team is calling a mild right shoulder sprain. He’ll be re-evaluated Thursday.

A deep dive beyond the marquee names identifies the players who aren’t so obvious right now, but will impact the season in not-so-obvious ways.

Boxer Patrick Day, 27, died on Wednesday after being knocked out against Charles Conwell on Saturday. He had surgery and had been in a coma.

James Harden made it known he doesn’t intend to address the controversy anymore, steering the conversation back to basketball and the upcoming season.

Enes Kanter claimed that threats from the Turkish Consulate led to the cancellation of a free basketball clinic at the Islamic Center of Long Island.

After he and Kawhi Leonard were introduced as the newest members of the Clippers, Paul George said the LA natives were “supposed to play together.”

A man allegedly left two voicemails in which he made threats against general manager Sam Presti, coach Billy Donovan and the Thunder front office.