Cavs Court Changes Revealed in New Photos After Luka Doncic Injury Raised Safety Concerns
The Cleveland Cavaliers adjusted the level of their court amidst concerns it was contributing to injuries.
According to Joe Vardon of The Athletic, the Cavs "installed 'temporary' extensions along the side and baselines of their raised court at Rocket Arena to prevent players from falling off of it and injuring themselves."
Most prominently, Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Dončić injured his ankle at Rocket Arena in late January, slipping off the edge of the court.
"It wasn't a great feeling, and, looking back at the video, I think I got a little bit lucky," Dončić told reporters at the time.
"It is absolutely a safety hazard," head coach JJ Redick added.
Per Vardon's report, Cleveland's court "sits on wood risers—like box springs—over the rubber mat covering the hockey rink, about 10 inches above those mats. A Cavaliers spokesman confirmed what anyone at Cleveland's win over Washington on Wednesday could see: That platform extenders flush to the edges of the court where there was a prior drop-off were installed."
A Cavaliers spokesperson added that the organization will install a permanent solution ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.
