While injuries impacting a team's season are not a new story, the data this year is alarming. Missed games in the NBA are up seven percent from last season's pace and 28 percent from two years ago.

The NBA schedule will have a full slate of six games on TV for January 6th, two of which will be nationally televised on NBC and Peacock.

Most recently, Kevin Durant reached another milestone on Jan. 9, eclipsing Wilt Chamberlain as he now sits at No. 7 on the all-time scoring list. At his current pace, Durant would need five games to pass Dirk Nowitzki (No. 6) and 33 games to pass Michael Jordan (No. 5) and enter the top five.

ESPN has had one of its most-viewed starts to the NBA regular season since it started to carry games in 2002. According to the network and Nielsen, ESPN averaged 2.6 million viewers in its first 21 games through Christmas,

It comes with the trade deadline nearing in the last opportunity to rejig their rosters for the second half of the campaign to help sides move further into the directions they wish. Watch NBA with ESPN on Kayo Sports | Stream an average 9 LIVE Regular Season games per week plus the best of the NBA Playoffs.