UPDATE: Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr has expressed deep concern over the NBA’s accelerated pace of play, warning that it is linked to a surge in soft tissue injuries among players. Just in the last two days, Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered a groin strain, while the San Antonio Spurs revealed that center Victor Wembanyama is dealing with a left calf strain and guard Stephon Castle has a hip flexor strain.
Kerr’s alarm comes as five other NBA players—including Anthony Davis and Ja Morant—are currently sidelined with calf strains. The league’s average pace is reportedly the fastest since the 1988-89 season, raising questions about player safety.
Kerr stated, “The wear and tear, the speed, the pace, the mileage is factoring into these injuries.” The coach emphasized that teams are playing with unprecedented intensity, leading to a higher likelihood of injuries. “Players are running faster and further than ever before,” he added, highlighting the challenges faced by teams with a game every other night.
The Warriors are currently facing their fifth back-to-back series in just the first month of the season. Following their game in Orlando, they will head to Miami, culminating a grueling six-game road trip. “We literally haven’t had a single practice on this road trip,” Kerr noted, underscoring the lack of recovery and practice time for players.
Kerr has long advocated for reducing the NBA schedule from the traditional 82 games to 72 or fewer, believing that added rest would benefit player health. However, he remains skeptical that the league will consider such changes due to financial pressures. “The tricky part is all the constituents would have to agree to take less revenue,” he explained.
As injuries continue to rise at an alarming rate, fans and analysts alike are left wondering whether the NBA will prioritize player safety over profits. The situation is evolving rapidly, and Kerr’s comments may ignite further discussions about the future of the league’s schedule and player welfare.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.