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[Saba Sports News] Injuries are an unfortunate part of basketball, affecting even the top players. But sometimes, NBA players get sidelined for the strangest reasons—some not even related to the game. Here are 10 of the most unusual NBA injury causes.
Amar’e Stoudemire had standout moments with the Knicks, but one infamous incident stands out. After a 2012 playoff loss to the Miami Heat, he punched a glass door protecting a fire extinguisher, cutting his non-shooting hand and missing Game 3. The Knicks lost the series in five games.
Carlos Boozer’s stint with the Chicago Bulls started on the wrong foot—literally. After joining the team, Boozer tripped over a gym bag while answering the door, breaking his hand and delaying his debut until December.
Fresh off winning an NBA championship, Aaron Gordon was ready to enjoy the holidays when his pet dog got overly excited, biting him in the face. The bite required stitches, sidelining him for a couple of games during the Nuggets’ title defense.
Steve Nash’s Lakers years were marked by bad luck, including an injury from carrying bags. What was in the bags remains a mystery, but Nash’s aging body couldn’t handle the strain, adding to his struggles.
OJ Mayo’s promising career took a quick downturn. In a contract season, he fractured his ankle falling down the stairs at home. That injury sidelined him for the season and marked the end of his NBA career before being banned for violating the league’s anti-drug program.
Charles Barkley made headlines not just for his on-court impact but also for an odd mishap. While attending an Eric Clapton concert, he rubbed lotion into his eyes by accident, missing the Suns’ season opener due to irritated eyes.
After winning two titles with the Lakers, Andrew Bynum’s career plummeted, partly due to a bizarre injury—he worsened a knee injury while bowling, even though he was supposed to be rehabbing it.
Lionel Simmons once missed two games after playing too much Nintendo Game Boy, suffering tendinitis from the repetitive motion. Fans still wonder what game he was playing.
B.J. Tyler’s career ended abruptly due to an ice-related mishap. After falling asleep with an ice pack on his ankle, he suffered nerve damage, cutting his NBA career short after just one season.