Category Archives: Knee

Zion Williamson Bruised Knee

On July 5th, Zion Williamson, an American basketball player for the New Orleans Pelicans, left a game against the Knicks during the 2019 NBA Summer League due to a bruised left knee. Williamson took a knee-to-knee hit in the first half of the game and was ruled out at halftime. He was seen on the bench in the second half of the game with a bag of ice around his knee. According to a press release, Pelicans Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin announced that the decision to take Williamson out of the NBA Summer League was a precautionary move and William would continue to train and condition with the team.

“Zion will move forward from this incident without issues,” said Griffin. “However, in an abundance of caution, we have made the determination that he will not appear in game action for the remainder of the NBA Summer League. He will continue to take part in training and conditioning with our performance team.”

Though Williamson missed most of the NBA’s Summer League, he should be good to play by the start of the regular season.

Felix Peña ACL Rupture

On August 3rd, Los Angeles Angels pitcher Felix Peña ruptured his ACL covering first base in the second inning of the Angels’ game against the Cleveland Indians. Peña had to be carried off the field. Peña had an MRI later that night which confirmed the torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).  Reports are that Peña has decided to have the ACL reconstructed, which will keep him out for at least 9 months.

Courtesy of Mayo Clinic

Blake Griffin Knee Injury

Detroit Pistons forward Blake Griffin sat out six of eleven Playoff games this year due to problems with his knee. He had arthroscopic surgery on April 24, but the diagnosis and procedure are unclear. 

In 2010, Griffin broke his kneecap and underwent surgery. In late March of this year, he was diagnosed

with a medial collateral ligament (MCL) sprain. He returned to play a game against Oklahoma City Thunder on April 5th, after which his knee pain returned, and he did not play again. 

Sprains of the  MCL heal relatively quickly and do not benefit from arthroscopic surgery.   Return to play is typically an issue of stability and comfort sufficient to be effective.   

Griffin is expected to start the 2019-2020 season on time. 

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons