Steve Kerr Sounds the Alarm With Brutal Honesty About the NBA’s Escalating Injury Problem

NBA: Golden State Warriors at New Orleans Pelicans - Source: Imagn
NBA: Golden State Warriors at New Orleans Pelicans - Source: Imagn

Injuries are a recurring issue every NBA season, and Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr recently voiced his concern when asked about the spike in soft-tissue problems around the league.

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Multiple All-Stars are sidelined due to various ailments involving muscles, ligaments and tendons, and Kerr believes the league’s fast pace may be the primary cause.

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“I’m very concerned,” Kerr said. “It’s traumatic. The pace difference is traumatic.

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“I think across the league, everybody understands now that it’s just easier to score if you can beat the opponent down the floor, get out in transition. When everybody’s doing that, the games are much higher-paced.”

Steve Kerr also pointed out that the schedule contributes to the issue, with games packed tightly together.

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“(The doctors) believe that the wear-and-tear, the speed, the pace, the mileage, it’s all factoring in these injuries. Now it’s basically we’re playing every other night. … The wear-and-tear is there anyway because of the accumulation of all those games.”

A significant number of NBA stars have been sidelined by injuries this season, impacting teams across the league. Among those affected are Giannis Antetokounmpo, Victor Wembanyama, Anthony Davis, Kawhi Leonard, Joel Embiid, Zion Williamson, Trae Young, Ja Morant, Jalen Williams and Paolo Banchero.

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Earlier, Kerr criticized the Warriors’ early season slate, noting that their matchup with the Miami Heat on Wednesday would mark their 17th game in 29 days across 13 different cities.

“It’s been the toughest early schedule I’ve ever been a part of in my entire NBA life,” he said on 95.7 The Game.

Eddie Johnson reacts to Steve Kerr’s comments

Responding to Steve Kerr’s remarks about the Warriors’ difficult schedule, former Sixth Man of the Year Eddie Johnson argued that earlier eras faced even harsher demands, with players often competing four times in five nights.

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"I love Steve, but I got to protect my brothers and him from the past,” Johnson posted on X. “We played 4 games in 5 nights numerous times. That means back to back to back in different time zones while flying commercial, washing our uniforms in a tub and rarely complained. Go play and love the game!"
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The Warriors lost Tuesday in the first leg of a back-to-back, falling 121-113 to the Orlando Magic. It was the second-to-last game of their six-game road trip, during which they’ve gone 3-2, with the first defeat coming in the opener against the OKC Thunder.

Their final stop on the trip is Miami on Wednesday before returning home for a five-game stand. Another six-game road trip awaits them in March.

Warriors Nation! You can check out the latest Golden State Warriors Schedule and dive into the Warriors Depth Chart for NBA Season 2024-25.

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Edited by John Ezekiel Hirro
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