Klay Thompson ACL Tear Case Study
Introduction:
Everyone watching game six of the 2019 NBA Finals thought the Golden State Warriors would pull off the win and force a game seven back in Toronto, Canada. In the third quarter, however, the Warriors were in transition. Klay Thompson was going up for a dunk, but on his way down he landed awkwardly and started clutching his knee. Silence swamped the Oracle Arena as Thompson would soon sustain a torn ACL– an injury that would keep him out for the remainder of not just that game, but the entire next season. Let’s dive into the mechanisms behind Thompson’s injury, the road to recovery, and his return to the court.
What Is An ACL Tear?
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is responsible for holding the femur and tibia together. An ACL tear occurs when this ligament is stretched beyond its normal range, causing structural damage. The tear occurs within the substance of the ligament, which in turn compromises its stability and disrupts fibers in the area.
All of the following can cause an ACL tear:
jumping and landing incorrectly
sudden stops
direct impact to the knee
hyperextension of the knee
non-contact deceleration
improper cutting techniques
Grades & Severity of the Injury:
Grade 1 (Mild) - Ligament partially ruptured. Mild pain and swelling.
Grade 2 (Moderate) - Ligament partially torn. Moderate pain and swelling.
Grade 3 (Severe) - Ligament completely torn. Severe pain and swelling.
Klay Thompson’s ACL tear fell in the grade 3 category, meaning it had been torn entirely and would require an extensive period of recovery time.
The Recovery Process:
Klay Thompson’s prime years of basketball were robbed by his injury in the finals. In an ESPN interview, he stated that he had to restart, even relearn how to walk with crutches. He also said that his mental health suffered tremendously from the injury, that his passion for basketball had been stripped from him. However, he continued to stay optimistic and returned for the 2021-2022 season (an Achilles tear prior to the ‘20-’21 season had delayed his return period by another year).
Conclusion:
In harrowing retrospect, Klay Thompson came to be known as the man whose ACL tore, and who proceeded to knock down two free throws before leaving the game. His ACL injury, followed by his Achilles injury, has taught him that rough times only serve to make you stronger. As of the 2023-2024 season, Thompson is still a member of the Golden State Warriors, looking to put his team in playoff contention and hand-deliver the Warriors yet another championship.
Sources:
“Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injuries - Orthoinfo - Aaos.” OrthoInfo, orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/anterior-cruciate-ligament-acl-injuries/. Accessed 21 Jan. 2024.
“Klay Thompson’s Grueling Road Back from Two Serious Injuries.” FOX Sports, FOX Sports, www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/klay-thompsons-grueling-road-back-from-two-serious-injuries. Accessed 21 Jan. 2024.
Rudder, Paul. “Warriors’ Klay Thompson Admits to Errors during Recovery Process.” Diario AS, 23 Feb. 2022, en.as.com/en/2022/02/23/nba/1645650765_283001.html.