If you're a fan of a good comeback story, there will be plenty to follow during the 2022-23 NBA season.
In addition to stars like Kawhi Leonard, Jamal Murray, Ben Simmons and Zion Williamson, there's a group of players whose respective returns from long-term injuries should not be glossed over.
It has been some time since we last saw players like Kendrick Nunn and T.J. Warren take the floor, but the last time they were in action, they were making their impact felt at a high level.
Now that time has passed, these players can be X-Factors for their respective teams during the upcoming season. Here's a group of players worth keeping an eye on as they return from injury.
Notable X-Factors set to return in 2022-23 season
Kendrick Nunn, Lakers
Last played: May 29, 2021
Nunn burst onto the scene in Miami as an All-Rookie First Teamer in 2019-20 and followed that up with an equally impressive 2020-21 season for the Heat before joining the Lakers in free agency.
You may have forgotten that Nunn is in LA as he last played in the 2021 playoffs with the Heat.
He saw preseason action with the Lakers, but a bone bruise in Nunn's right knee ultimately held him out for the entirety of the 2021-22 regular season. Now, there is confidence that Nunn will return at full strength in 2022-23.
Nunn is a part of a Lakers guard rotation that will also include Russell Westbrook, Patrick Beverley and Dennis Schroder.
T.J. Warren, Nets
Last played: Dec. 29, 2020
Warren underwent surgery to repair a stress fracture in his left foot in January of 2021 and, at some point during the 2021-22 season, progressed to being a full-time participant in practices with the Pacers but had yet to return to game action. This past March, the Pacers announced that Warren would miss the remainder of the season, a decision made by the organization in conjunction with Warren and his representation.
If you remember Warren's scoring exploits in the NBA "bubble," you'll know that, if healthy, he'll be a scary offensive option alongside Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Ben Simmons and the multiple sharpshooters in Brooklyn.
Joe Harris, Nets
Last played: Nov. 14, 2021
Harris was limited to 14 games during the 2021-22 season after a lingering left ankle injury first sidelined him in November. In March, Harris underwent left ankle ligament reconstruction surgery, which held him out for the remainder of the season and postseason.
A career 43.9 percent 3-point shooter, Harris' return is a reason this Nets team could be much improved in 2022-23. Harris is expected to be ready on Day 1 of training camp.
Derrick Rose, Knicks
Last played: Dec. 16, 2021
Rose has found his niche as a sixth man during his second stint with the Knicks, but he was limited to just 26 games last season after undergoing right ankle surgery in December. In February, Rose underwent a second procedure to address an infection in the same ankle, ultimately ending his season.
The Knicks will again lean on Rose's scoring and leadership off the bench when he spells new starting point guard Jalen Brunson. As of August, Rose is expected to be "good to go" once the season begins, per The Athletic's Fred Katz.
Gordon Hayward, Hornets
Last played: April 2, 2022
When healthy, Hayward has been good for the Hornets, averaging 17.0 points and 4.7 rebounds on .471/.397/.846 shooting splits over 45 games before the injury bug bit last season. From January 23 on, Hayward appeared in four of Charlotte's final 36 regular season games despite attempting to return on April 2.
Hayward suffered a sprained ankle in early February and, upon his initial return, the discomfort led to the staff discovering a bone chip in his foot, which would hold him out for the remainder of the regular season and Charlotte's Play-In Tournament loss.
Hayward has been in the gym and looks ready for Day 1 of camp.
More of off-season work for #Hornets Gordon Hayward, rocking the shooting sleeve.
— Richie (@richierandall) August 24, 2022
📍Charlotte, NC
🎥 Instagram/gordonhayward pic.twitter.com/zWqu0Y9cIB
Tim Hardaway Jr., Mavericks
Last played: Jan. 25, 2022
In January, Hardaway suffered a fractured left foot which would require surgery. When Hardaway underwent surgery in February, he was only ruled out for the regular season, but as time passed, it was clear that he would not see any postseason action either.
Last season, Hardaway wasn't the most efficient, but he did average 14.2 points while starting in 20 of the 42 games that he appeared in. With Jalen Brunson gone, Hardaway looks ready to give Dallas a scoring punch as he'll be ready to go as camp gets underway.
Dario Saric, Suns
Last played: July 6, 2021
Saric missed the entirety of the 2021-22 NBA season after suffering a torn ACL in Game 1 of the 2021 NBA Finals.
After ramping up his rehab over the past year, Saric represented Croatia at the 2022 EuroBasket Tournament, where he averaged 9.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists while playing 27.1 minutes per game. His return adds depth to the Phoenix frontcourt.
Jonathan Isaac, Magic
Last played: Aug. 2, 2020
Isaac is more of a curious case as he last played at the NBA "bubble," where he suffered a torn ACL. Given the quick turnaround and truncated schedule, Isaac missed the 2020-21 season in its entirety, and signs indicated that he could return in 2021-22.
In March of 2022, Isaac underwent a procedure on a right hamstring injury suffered during his ACL rehab, and it is currently unclear if and when he will return to the court for the Magic, who have assembled an impressive core of young talent. A healthy Isaac is a key part of that.
Ricky Rubio, Cavaliers
Last played: Dec. 28, 2021
Rubio got out to a great start with the Cavs last season before suffering a torn ACL in late December and eventually getting traded to Indiana in the deal that sent Caris LeVert to Cleveland.
As he was on an expiring deal, Rubio elected to return to Cleveland in free agency, reuniting with his teammates from a year prior as well as Donovan Mitchell, with whom he shared a backcourt in Utah.
The nature of Rubio's ACL injury could keep him sidelined for the first few months of the 2022-23 season.
Joe Ingles, Bucks
Last played: Jan. 30, 2022
Ingles went down with a torn ACL in late January and saw his expiring contract moved at the trade deadline.
Given the timing of his injury, you shouldn't expect Ingles to return to action until the second half of the season, but he can be a value signing for the Bucks, who look to return to title contention after losing in the Eastern Conference Semifinals last season.
Danny Green, Grizzlies
Last played: May 12, 2022
During Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Green went down with a torn ACL and underwent surgery after the Sixers were eliminated.
This offseason, Green was traded to the Grizzlies and while he's on an expiring deal, the three-time champion was spotted with his new teammates at Summer League. At the earliest, Green could possibly return to action for the final stretch of the season, but the 35-year-old could take a much more cautious approach in his recovery.
Kira Lewis, Pelicans
Last played: Dec. 8, 2021
In the midst of New Orleans' youth movement, Lewis is yet another lottery pick that isn't talked about often. The No. 13 pick in 2020, Lewis went down with a brutal torn ACL and MCL sprain in December and underwent season-ending surgery.
As the 21-year-old point guard relies on his speed, a drawn-out rehab process might be the key to his athleticism returning. He could be another addition to New Orleans' deep backcourt around Christmas or the turn of the new year.
