15 NBA Players Who Suffered Career-Ending Injuries
Written by
Chris Thomas
Published on
October 24, 2014
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It was crushing to see that Steve Nash will miss another full NBA season due to injury, as the news signals that retirement could be on the horizon. One of the more exciting point guards of this generation isn’t alone in his injury struggles, and we’ve proved it by listing 15 players whose careers were derailed.
Photo: WENN
Hit the jump to peep the list. Share your thoughts in the comments.
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Photo: YouTube
Terrell Brandon
Brandon learned a thing or two playing behind Mark Price as a Cleveland Cavalier. So much so that he shined when he became a starter. His reign continued with the Minnesota Timberwolves, but injuries would ultimately stop him in his tracks.
Photo: A. Miller/WENN
Allan Houston
Houston announced his retirement on October 17, 2005. As of October 24, 2014, New York Knicks fans are still feeling that pain.
Baron Davis
B. Diddy was absolutely masterful on the basketball court when at his best. But the injury bug would stop him from reaching his full potential as a member of the Charlotte and New Orleans Hornets. He showed spots of improvement when playing for the Golden State Warriors in the mid-2000s. Davis’ career sadly ended as a NY Knick during the 2011-2012 season when he tore his ACL, MCL and his patellar tendon in his right knee.
Yao Ming
Ming suffered a list of injuries including a broken foot bone, a broken knee cap and had microfracture surgery before throwing in the towel in 2011.
Isiah Thomas
After a storied run as the leader of the two-time NBA Champion Detroit Piston, Tuss’ was forced to retire when he tore his Achilles’ tendon in 1994.
Tracy McGrady
A two-time scoring champion, T-Mac was once among the most revered players in the league. But during his prime years playing for the Orlando Magic and Houston Rockets, he and the word injury became all too familiar. Years of knee, shoulder, and back injuries changed the trajectory of the talented guard’s career and ultimately caused it to finally call it quits after the 2013 seaon.
Photo: WENN.com
Jay Williams
As a Duke Blue Devil, Williams proved that he was NBA-ready. June 19, 2003 changed everything, as he got into a motorcycle accident the resulted in a severed nerve in his leg, a fractured pelvis, and a torn ACL.
Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway
Despite being a fan favorite and having some of the best signature sneakers in NBA history, Hardaway only played two full seasons in his career. That should tell you something.
Jamal Mashburn
Mashburn had the offensive skill to be one of the best scoring forwards in NBA history. Unfortunately, chronic knee problems would prevent that from happening.
Brandon Roy
Roy retired June 2012 due to his ailing knees, which had no cartilage between the bones. He returned to the game for the 2012-2013 season, but was waived by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
“Pistol” Pete Maravich
Maravich was the equivalent to a single mother on the basketball court. Having little to no help offensively, he was forced to bear the full burden. His body returned the favor.
Bill Walton
Walton never lived up to his full potential due to a career plagued with foot injuries. It’s a very sad story indeed.
After a legendary run as a Duke Blue Devil, Hurley’s NBA career took a horrible turn after getting into a car accident during his rookie season. The guard was not wearing a seat belt, causing him to be launched from his vehicle upon impact.
Jonathan Bender
A seven-footer is a commodity in any NBA draft, making the extremely athletic Bender a stud. Sadly, he’d never become an elite player due to injuries.
