It has been quite an exciting 2018-19 NBA season and there's lots more to come. With the current year coming to a close, many are looking forward to 2019 and what it will bring. Unfortunately, several NBA stars will be heading into the new year on the league's injury report and won't be able to suit up immediately. Find out who they are below.

LeBron James - King James is currently out with a groin problem, having suffered an injury during the Lakers' Christmas Day special against the Golden State Warriors last Tuesday. The superstar forward is currently listed as day-to-day by the team, but the latest reports indicate that they expect him to miss several games before he returns.

Joel Embiid - The Philadelphia 76ers center is questionable for his side's clash with the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday as a result of knee soreness and could possibly start the new year on the fringes.

Aron Baynes - Boston Celtics center Aron Baynes should be out until late January after undergoing surgery on his left hand to repair a broken finger. The 32-year-old has been an important player for Brad Stevens this season and was instrumental in the playoffs last term. But the coach will have to cope without him for a while and should be happy to at least have Al Horford back after he spent some time on the sidelines himself.

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Caris LeVert - Caris LeVert has been out since November 14. The shooting guard sustained a nasty ankle injury while attempting a block during a game for the Brooklyn Nets against the Minnesota Timberwolves very early in the season.

It was initially thought that the player would require surgery as he appeared to suffer a break but scans only revealed a dislocation and there is hope that he will return to playing by February 1.

Kevin Love - The Cleveland Cavaliers star is expected to return around mid-January after undergoing surgery on his left foot on November 2. Love attempted to play, despite having the problem during the offseason, and could only manage four games in which he averaged 19.0 points and 13.5 rebounds. His return is likely to hand Cleveland a huge boost, given their extremely poor form since LeBron's departure.

DeMarcus Cousins - The new Warriors big man hasn't played at all this season following an Achilles injury that dates back to January, while he was still with the New Orleans Pelicans. However, he could make his debut for the side early next year after rehabbing in the G-League.

Cousins has shown remarkable improvement in training and only recently beat Kevin Durant one-on-one. He can't be far from a return to the court.

Kristaps Porzingis - The New York Knicks star isn't expected to play this season after sustaining a devastating ACL injury. He will be re-evaluated in February and the Knicks should have a clearer picture as to how things will shape up.

Chris Paul - The Houston Rockets point guard tweaked his hamstring during a loss to the Miami Heat on December 20 and is expected to be out until at least January 5. His fitness issues did not prevent him from picking up a technical foul on the bench while his side beat the Celtics in a recent match, though.

Dwight Howard - Dwight Howard had spinal surgery at the end of November and is expected to return at the end of January at the earliest. But he could miss more time than that if his evaluation suggests he's not ready to play by then.

Dion Waiters - Heat guard Dion Waiters began training with the team just ahead of the holidays after spending nearly a year sidelined with an ankle injury. He was assigned to the team's G-League affiliate on Friday but there is no timeline for his return as yet.

Goran Dragic - Waiters' Miami teammate Goran Dragic is also out after having a surgical procedure done on his knee. The point guard isn't expected back in action until mid-February.

Andre Roberson - The Oklahoma City Thunder won't be heading into the new year with a healthy Andre Roberson. The guard was tipped to return in November after having his knee surgically repaired but suffered a setback at the end of said month and is now expected back around January 10.

Rajon Rondo - Lakers veteran point guard Rajon Rondo has had problems staying healthy this season and has undergone another hand surgery which should keep him out for up to a month.

Tristan Thompson - Tristan Thompson suffered a foot injury after landing on Malcolm Brogdon's foot earlier this month and isn't likely to play before January 2.

Markelle Fultz - The Philadelphia 76ers guard dominated the headlines for most of this season as the result of a bizarre shoulder injury but has since been diagnosed with a nerve problem. There's no word on when he will be back but he isn't expected to play any games before mid-January.

Marvin Bagley III - The Sacramento Kings rookie will be down for a bit after suffering a bone bruise in his knee on December 14. The team announced on Friday that the player will be out for another two weeks so he could be back around mid-January.

Kyle Lowry - The Raptors guard has been suffering from a thigh contusion and a bad back that has seen him miss six games. He remains day-to-day but it's very possible he doesn't play again this year.

Dejounte Murray - The San Antonio Spurs point guard won't play again this season after tearing his right anterior cruciate ligament during a preseason game against the Houston Rockets.

Jonas Valanciunas - Valanciunas suffered a bad thumb injury playing against the Warriors earlier this month and required surgery to have it put back in place. He is touted to return around January 13.

Will Barton - The shooting guard did not play on Saturday and will likely miss a few more games before returning from his groin injury. Barton is listed as a game-time decision but the Nuggets don't play until New Year's Day.

John Wall - John Wall missed the Wizards' clash with the Bulls on Friday night due to a heel injury and the team has since announced that he will undergo season-ending surgery in the coming days.

Derrick Rose - The resurgent guard sprained his ankle playing against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday and is still a game-time decision. He could head into the new year on the injury report but hasn't been listed as out against the Miami Heat on Sunday.

Isaiah Thomas - Denver Nuggets point guard Isaiah Thomas has been out all season with a hip injury but is likely to make his return to the court in early January.

Nikola Mirotic - The Pelicans big man is currently out with an ankle injury and could miss a few more games for his side before returning.

Taurean Waller-Prince - The small forward hasn't played since hurting his ankle on December 3 and shouldn't return before January 2.

Otto Porter Jr. - Porter is listed as a game-time decision at the moment, having sustained a knee injury, but won't have an opportunity to suit up until January 2 anyway as the Wizards aren't scheduled to play before that.

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