Injuries have long changed the course of NBA careers and derailed championship runs. When stars go down in the postseason, the ripple effect can end a team’s title hopes. For many athletes, these injuries aren’t just lost games—they’re career-altering events.
Here’s 15 of the most devastating playoff-related injuries in NBA history, each of which either ended a postseason dream or permanently altered a player’s trajectory.
Top 15 Devastating NBA Playoff Injuries
#1 Derrick Rose tore his ACL (2012):
Derrick Rose tore his ACL in Game 1 against Philadelphia, abruptly ending the Bulls’ playoff push. Rose missed the entire 2012–13 season and later re-injured his meniscus, cutting short a once-MVP-level rise.
13 YEARS AGO TODAY, Derrick Rose tore his left ACL in Game 1 of the 2012 Playoffs with 1 minute left, up by 12 💔
— Courtside Buzz (@CourtsideBuzzX) April 28, 2025
After missing a season, he returned to play 10 games before tearing his right meniscus.
Derrick fell, Derrick Rose ❤️🌹 pic.twitter.com/QH6KteJTTL
#2 Damian Lillard’s right knee sprain (2020):
Damian Lillard suffered a right knee sprain in Game 4 of the first round inside the bubble. He exited the series early, and Portland was eliminated soon after.
Damian Lillard left the court with an apparent leg injury. pic.twitter.com/GXG8Iq44or
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 25, 2020
#3 Chris Paul’s groin injury (2023):
A groin injury sidelined Chris Paul during the Western Conference Semifinals. Without him, the Suns fell to the Nuggets. It marked the fifth postseason derailed by injury for Paul.
Chris Paul appears to possibly “strain” his left adductor (groin) on this play. Typical healing time is as follows
— Dr. Evan Jeffries, DPT (@GameInjuryDoc) May 2, 2023
Tightness: Day to day
Grade I: 7-10 days
Grade II: 4-8 weeks
Grade III: See you next season
pic.twitter.com/CwY0XZ6Dq3
#4 Kawhi Leonard rolled his ankle (2017):
Kawhi Leonard rolled his ankle in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals after landing awkwardly. The Spurs lost the series without him. Leonard has battled injuries in five different playoff years.
Reminder: kawhi Leonard 2017 playoff run was legendary.
— ᴠɪʟʟᴀɪɴ (@KawhisWashed) August 15, 2020
his 2017 playoff run would've been greater than his LEGENDARY 2019 playoff run if he didn't get injured by zaza pachulia in the WCF against the warriors. But the casuals and haters will say " hE hAd OnE gOoD rUn"! 🤔 pic.twitter.com/BqoBq9PBxm
#5 Dirk Nowitzki injured his knee (2003):
Dirk Nowitzki injured his knee during the Western Conference Finals. Dallas lost to San Antonio in six games.
#6 Yao Ming suffered a foot fracture (2009):
Yao Ming suffered a foot fracture in Game 3 against the Lakers. His postseason ended there—and his career soon followed, undone by recurring foot and ankle problems.
#7 Magic Johnson pulled his hamstring (1989):
Magic Johnson pulled his hamstring in the Finals after a Game 1 loss to Detroit. The Lakers, chasing a three-peat, couldn’t recover.
#8 Kyrie Irving fractured his kneecap (2015):
Kyrie Irving fractured his kneecap in the Finals opener. The Cavs lost in six to the Warriors. Irving has missed 29 playoff games—more than any active star on this list.
BREAKING: Cavs PG Kyrie Irving will miss rest of NBA Finals with a fractured left kneecap. pic.twitter.com/HornHxYJS9
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 5, 2015
#9 Klay Thompson tore his ACL (2019):
Klay Thompson tore his ACL in the Finals after an awkward fall. He briefly returned to shoot free throws but couldn’t continue. The Warriors’ three-peat bid ended without him.
Breaking: Klay Thompson has suffered a torn ACL in his left knee, his agent tells @wojespn. pic.twitter.com/jBJa4DRDkg
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 14, 2019
#10 Kevin Durant tore his Achilles (2019):
Kevin Durant tore his Achilles during the same Finals against Toronto. He missed the entire next season. Without Durant and Thompson, the Warriors fell to the Raptors.
Breaking: KD confirms he’s torn his Achilles: “Surgery was today and it was a success, EASY MONEY”
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 12, 2019
(via @KDTrey5) pic.twitter.com/6hkUsRNSbr
#11 Chris Webber tore his meniscus (2003):
Chris Webber tore his meniscus in the playoffs with the Kings. Post-surgery, he lost much of his mobility and never fully returned to form.
#12 Bill Walton injured in the Finals (1978):
Bill Walton injured in the Finals, missing two games and playing hurt in another. His absence may have cost Boston a chance at 10 straight titles, according to 365 Scores.
#13 Patrick Ewing tore his Achilles (1999):
Patrick Ewing tore his Achilles during the Finals against San Antonio. The Knicks fell in Game 5. Ewing’s last title shot ended on the bench, part of a stretch where he missed playoff games in four straight years.
#14 Larry Bird back problems (Late 1980s–1992):
Larry Bird’s chronic back problems worsened over several postseasons. By 1992, they forced him to retire, ending the playoff career of one of the game’s greatest.
Larry Bird retired 32 years ago today at the age of 35. He played the last few of his 13 seasons with a severe back injury
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) August 18, 2024
Still did this in his final weeks
49 PTS, 14 REB, 12 AST
25 PTS, 9 REB, 9 AST, 75% FG
21 PTS, 12 REB, 8 AST
16 PTS, 14 AST, 1 TO
pic.twitter.com/FR53ftYmpA
#15 Tracy McGrady’s shoulder and knee surgery (2008):
Tracy McGrady underwent shoulder and knee surgery late in the season. Chronic injuries had already slowed him, and he never reclaimed his prime form.
As the NBA evolves, staying on the court might be as important as what happens on it.
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I am a writer passionate about telling the stories behind the game of basketball. From the culture and personalities shaping the sport to the moments that define it, I explore basketball beyond the box score.
