We recently wrote about how the Spurs were looking to make a serious playoff push with the trade deadline acquisition of De’Aron Fox. It looked promising then last Thursday it was announced star second year center Victor Webanyama is expected to sit out the remainder of the 2025 regular season because of deep vein thrombosis in his shoulder. In other words, he has a blood cot and that can be a very serious issue.
Webanyama is the NBA’s most valuable individual commodity and blood clots are more serious than the average fan realizes. Not getting it treated can end a career or even lead to death.
That got us thinking about the worst injuries ever, in terms of crippling a franchise’s fortunes, and also the seriousness of the injury. We take a look at the three that we feel had the most profound impact in both categories, as we wish Wemby a speedy recovery.
Injuries That Derailed Franchises
1. Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls (ACL Injury), 2012
The Injury
In the first round of the 2012 NBA playoffs vs. the Philadelphia 76ers, Rose, the reigning NBA MVP, injured his left knee while trying to take off jumping. He went to the floor and didn’t return to the game. It was later revealed he tore his MCL on the play.
What Transpired Afterwards
The Bulls were 50-16 in that strike shortened season. They were a serious contender to win the NBA title in 2012 and in the coming seasons.
Even with Rose, the youngest MVP ever, sitting out the 2013 season Chicago still won a playoff round.
It’s going to always be a “what if” when it comes to what could have transpired with a team with quality talent around a spellbinding and explosive guard. Rose did eventually recover to be a terrific contributor until the 2023-24 season.
2 Chris Webber, Sacramento Kings (Meniscus Injury), 2003
The Injury
In game two of the Western Conference Semifinals vs. The Dallas Mavericks, the all-star forward and one of the game’s most exciting players went down in a heap. Webber tore his meniscus and was lost for the rest of the playoffs.
What Transpired Afterwards
Webber was one of the most talented forwards in NBA history. When the injury occurred, he was in his prime and the Kings were 59-23 that season.
Even without Webber, it still took Dallas seven games to knock the Kings out of the playoffs
Sacramento took the Lakers to the brink of the NBA Finals the previous season and were looked at as serious NBA titles contenders in that era.
Webber eventually got back out on the court, but was never an all-star again, as he lost some of his range and explosiveness. The Kings have never been that close to the NBA title since.
The Injury
The first team All-NBA selection landed awkwardly on the Warriors’ Zaza Pachulia’s foot during game one of the 2017 Western Conference Finals.
It aggravated an ankle injury from earlier in the season and Leonard did not return to the game. The Spurs were up by as much as 25, but lost 113-111.
What Transpired Afterwards
The Warriors had not lost a playoff game up until that point and with Leonard out, went on to sweep the Western Conference Finals. The Warriors only lost one game in the post-season after going 67-15 during the regular season.
They lost one game to the Cavs in the finals
Who knows what would have transpired if Leonard stays healthy, but that Spurs’ core never regained its championship form after going 67-15 in 2016 and 61-21 in 2017.
Leonard had an injury plagued 2018 season and eventually moved on to the Toronto Raptors, a team he led to the 2019 NBA world title. That moment is always a “what if” for Spurs fans who felt their franchise could have won another NBA title and the first without Tim Duncan in the lineup.
The Most Serious & Crippling Injuries
4. Maurice Stokes, Cincinnati Royals (1958)
The Injury
On the last day of the 1957-58 regular season, Stokes drove to the basket, was fouled hard and struck his head on the hardwood as he fell to the floor. He was knocked unconscious and was revived with smelling salts. He later returned to finish the game.
What Transpired Afterwards
Three days later after a playoff game vs. the Detroit Pistons, the former No. 2 overall pick out of St. Francis (PA) fell sick on the team’s flight out of Detroit.
He fell into unconsciousness and eventually suffered a debilitating seizure
He was diagnosed with a brain injury that damaged his motor functions. Stokes was permanently paralyzed and his injury is a painful reminder of the small risk of serious injury each time someone steps out on a court.
The incident is also a reminder there are good folks out in this world willing to help. His teammate and long-time friend, Jack Twyman, became Stokes’ legal guardian and caregiver after the on-court injury.
5. Rudy Tomjanovich, Houston Rockets (1977)
The Injury
Early in the 1977 season, Rudy T walked straight into a full landing blow to his face from the L.A. Lakers’ Kermit Washington. It happened so fast, and because of the direction he was moving, Tomjanovich took the full brunt of the blow.
He was running to stop another fight that was happening on the court. Washington’s blow shattered Tomjanovich’s facial bones and the blow was so hard it made him leak spinal cord fluid in his mouth that he could actually taste.
What Transpired Afterwards
After he understood the severity of what happened, Rudy T left the arena to treat his life-threatening injuries and was sidelined from basketball for five months.
The NBA wasn’t a popular league in those days and serious, blow-to-blow fights occasionally occurred and didn’t help the reputation of the league. It was nothing like today when flare ups occur; Washington’s blow was the most serious thing that happened on an NBA court in that fashion.
It became known as “The Punch” and changed basketball completely
The NBA was eventually cleaned up, but Washington’s reputation never really recovered even though he didn’t mean to seriously injure Rudy T in that fashion. Rudy T eventually recovered and became a successful coach, while Washington was suspended for 60 days and fined $10,000.
In many respects, Washington never really recovered from some of the emotional scars surrounding the incident. It wasn’t easy for Washington afterwards and a grim reminder of how one incident can change someone’s life forever.
6. Shaun Livingston, L.A. Clippers (2007)
The Injury
In late February 2007, Livingston landed awkwardly on a lay-up attempt and suffered a devastating knee injury. It was one of those plays that shocks you when you see it on a basketball court, as it looked like Livingston’s knee just shattered.
He disclocated his knee cap, tore the ACL, PCL and MCL, while dislocating the patella and tibio-fubular joint.
What Transpired Afterwards
It looked like the former prep-to-pro No. 4 overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft might not ever play after an injury-riddled beginning to his career.
In fact, his injury was so bad it looked like his leg exploded and doctors who treated him said there was a chance the leg would have to be amputated.
It took months for the talented Livingston to just be able to walk like a normal adult; much less play basketball at a high level. Livingston eventually recovered to have a 14-year NBA career.
Here too there was some silver lining
Livingston lost his great natural ability, but used his feel, I.Q. and pace to become a valuable contributor to NBA championship teams in Golden State at the twilight of his career.
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