No Dunks Does The NBA Have A Serious Injury Problem?
Dec 9, 2025
Dr. James Borchers, a sports medicine physician and CEO of the U.S. Council for Athletes' Health, discusses the rising number of lower-body injuries in the NBA. He links early specialization in youth sports to increased injury rates and emphasizes the importance of multi-sport participation. Borchers highlights that recovery hinges on sleep, nutrition, and proper rehab techniques. He also addresses how travel and game schedules impact player fatigue, pushing for smarter load management strategies to keep athletes healthy.
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Youth Specialization Fuels Pro Injuries
- Youth sports specialization and increased volume create cumulative wear-and-tear that elevates injury risk in the NBA.
- Dr. James Borchers links today's pro injury patterns to AAU and adolescent training overload rather than just pro-level factors.
Micro-Injuries Lead To Major Tendon Failures
- Repeated, sport-specific loading produces micro-injuries that accumulate and predispose tendons like the Achilles to rupture.
- Borchers emphasizes partial and micro-injury progression rather than pure one-off events.
Prioritize Continuous Rehab For Faster Returns
- Invest heavily in rehabilitation and round-the-clock recovery to speed return from major soft-tissue injuries.
- Borchers credits modern surgical techniques plus constant pro-level rehab for faster Achilles comebacks.