When the new NBA season unfolded, the organization introduced several changes that took many by surprise.
One of those changes was the addition of an in-season tournament that divided teams into six different groups. To spice things up, they also did away with the conventional wood court design in favor of edgier, brightly colored courts that featured a giant NBA Cup in the middle, in line with the colors of their team.
While some clamored that the vibrant colors of the court hurt their eyes, others took a liking to it.
There was only one problem: the courts are elevated, which makes them risky and prone to accidents.
Dru Smith accident
On Thursday, Heat guard Dru Smith fell prey to the court’s elevated structure.
Smith was attempting to block Cavaliers’ Max Strus’ shot when he jumped and landed, unfortunately, on a piece of paper placed near the edge of the court. As a result, his left foot slid out onto the edge and landed awkwardly, injuring his knee.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaXyDdSGVVo
According to multiple sources, the court and the surface under the first-row seats had a 10-inch difference.
Smith was then seen cradling his knee in pain as he lay on the ground.
Dru Smith out Rest of the season after this scary injury 💔pic.twitter.com/5BJc7UbKjt
— Bones (@Bones4y) November 24, 2023
On November 25, the Miami Heat formally announced that Dru Smith had been diagnosed with a 3rd degree right ACL sprain and will thus be out for the remainder of the season.
UPDATE: Dru Smith has been diagnosed with a 3rd degree right ACL sprain. He will be out for the remainder of the season.
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) November 24, 2023
Miami Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra blamed the court for Smith’s accident, calling it dangerous and saying that it ‘was an accident waiting to happen.’
“You close out, and all of a sudden you’re going off a cliff. It’s just so dangerous. As soon as he stayed down, we all knew that’s probably what happened,” said Spoelstra.
He went on to say that he didn’t think there would have been any kind of incident if the court had been normal.
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