Kevin Durant’s Ruptured Right Achilles (2019)
Durant ruptured his Achilles in the 2019 Finals, missing the next season. He returned to become an All-Star again, but his explosiveness was diminished, and he faced ongoing injury concerns.
Yusef Norkic’s Compound Leg Fracture (2019)
Norkic’s leg snapped violently during a rebound, with bone piercing through the skin. The injury was career-ending, and he never played in the NBA again.
Isiah Thomas’ 40-Stitch Forehead Cut (1991)
Thomas suffered a brutal elbow from Karl Malone, requiring over 40 stitches. He returned to play in the same game, showing incredible toughness, and continued his Hall of Fame career.
Maurice Stokes – Traumatic Encephalopathy (1958)
Stokes suffered a head injury after a fall, leading to a coma and paralysis. He never played again and tragically passed away at age 36, but his legacy lives on through the NBA’s humanitarian award named in his honor.
Klay Thompson’s ACL and Achilles Tears (2019, 2020)
Thompson tore his ACL in the 2019 Finals and then ruptured his Achilles in 2020, missing two full seasons. He returned to help the Warriors win another title, but his explosiveness was never quite the same.
Rudy Tomjanovich Fractured Skull, Broken Jaw/Nose, Spinal-Fluid Leak (1977)
Tomjanovich was punched by Kermit Washington, suffering a fractured skull, broken jaw and nose, and a spinal-fluid leak. He missed most of the season but made a courageous comeback, later becoming a Hall of Fame coach.
Derrick Rose’s ACL Tear (2012)
Rose, the youngest MVP in NBA history, tore his ACL in the playoffs, derailing his prime. He battled multiple injuries afterward, never fully regaining his explosive athleticism, but remained a respected veteran and fan favorite.
Gordon Hayward’s Ankle Dislocation (2017)
Hayward dislocated and fractured his ankle in his Celtics debut, derailing his All-Star trajectory. He missed the entire season and struggled to regain his pre-injury form, eventually becoming a valuable role player but never reaching the same elite level.
Paul George’s Broken Leg (2014)
During a Team USA scrimmage, George’s leg snapped in a gruesome open tibia-fibula fracture after colliding with a basket stanchion. The injury shocked the basketball world, but George returned to become an All-Star and a key player for the Indiana Pacers and later the Los Angeles Clippers.
Shaun Livingston’s Knee Dislocation (2007)
Livingston suffered a horrific knee dislocation during a game, tearing multiple ligaments and dislocating his kneecap. The injury nearly ended his career, but after years of rehabilitation, he made a remarkable comeback, playing for several teams and winning championships with the Golden State Warriors. His resilience is legendary in the NBA.