We have seen too often how dramatically a season can turn based on a moment of terrible fortune. Last spring, Jayson Tatum suffered a devastating Achilles injury, followed shortly by Tyrese Haliburton and Damian Lillard, both experiencing similar Achilles tears. These moments serve as harsh reminders of how fragile a player’s season—and a team’s fortunes—can be.
Just a few weeks ago, the entire city of Denver held its breath when Nikola Jokic hurt his knee. Such an injury threatened to end his season prematurely and, with it, any reasonable expectation of the Nuggets competing in meaningful games come springtime. Fortunately, the news was positive: Jokic only missed a couple of weeks and returned to the lineup Wednesday night when the Nuggets visited the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
However, not all was smooth for the Nuggets. Josh Hart was sidelined after tweaking his ankle during a routine play in their recent lopsided win over Washington. Additionally, Deuce McBride remained out, still dealing with chronic ankle pain severe enough to warrant a fresh evaluation by the Knicks’ medical staff.
Basketball has always been a game that exacts a toll on the body—especially ankles, knees, shoulders, hamstrings, and groins. As the speed of the game intensifies and the overall skill level across the league rises, these injuries have become even more common and impactful. Teams and fans alike understand that a single moment of misfortune can dramatically alter the course of a season.
https://nypost.com/2026/02/04/sports/mikal-bridges-is-knicks-answer-to-growing-nba-problem/