ACL Injuries in the NBA

by Konrad Gonzalez, Staff Reporter

Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images

ACL tears are becoming more common, including among kids and teens. There are many factors leading to the increase in ACL tears. One factor being that athletes play multiple sports and are constantly working out and practicing.

Another factor is that athletes are playing more now than in the past as they try to remain at the top of their game. Coaches now focus on lifting weights at a young age before the body is even developed enough eventually leading to long-term strain. Athletes focus more on weights and not balance or strengthening their ligaments.

Basketball is one of the sports that has seen an increase in ACL tears due to the constant jumping and landing and agility.

“And all that jumping and landing doesn’t always go perfectly, as we know from watching some of our favorite NBA stars go down to ACL Injuries,” knee surgeon Dr. William Sterett said.

One of the recent headlining injuries was an ACL tear that happened to the Denver Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray. It occurred on a play where he went for a layup.

Other NBA players with the same injury right now are Markelle Fultz and Jonathon Isaac of the Orlando Magic.

“Just an awful feeling,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said after the game. “Keep Jamal in your thoughts and prayers.”

ACL injuries also carry a mental toll on players as the rehabilitation is long and hard. It can affect them in many ways like fear of reinjury, depression, and lack of motivation.

Jabari Parker who was a first round pick in 2014 tore his ACL his rookie year, and later tore it again in 2017.

ACL reconstruction has come a long way since then and is more successful. However, athletes, coaches, and trainers are still looking for ways to stop the recent spike in ACL injuries.