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[Saba Sports News] NBA commissioner Adam Silver says the league is investigating a troubling rise in Achilles injuries.
Speaking with ESPN’s Malika Andrews ahead of the NBA Draft on Wednesday at Barclays Center, Silver revealed that a panel of medical experts has been assembled to study why so many players suffered torn Achilles tendons this past season.
The issue was spotlighted again when Tyrese Haliburton tore his Achilles during the NBA Finals while playing through a calf strain.
Haliburton said he has no regrets, but his case reflects a larger concern: seven players tore their Achilles this past season, compared to zero the year before.
Silver said the league doesn’t yet know the cause of the spike. Notably, most injuries occurred before the All-Star break, suggesting that game load alone may not be to blame.
Silver speculated that offseason training regimens or early specialization in youth basketball could be contributing factors. Former All-Star Andre Iguodala, now involved with the players’ union, has advocated for more rest in the offseason.
“There’s a theory that youth sports may play a role,” Silver said. “Some experts think it has as much to do with what athletes do between ages 10 and 19, especially with the rise of single-sport specialization.”
The league is also using AI to analyze video footage in hopes of identifying patterns or early warning signs tied to Achilles injuries.
“We’re taking it very seriously,” Silver emphasized.
Other players who suffered Achilles tears this past season include Jayson Tatum, Damian Lillard, Dejounte Murray, Dru Smith, James Wiseman, Isaiah Jackson, and Thanasis Antetokounmpo — with three of them playing for the Indiana Pacers.