Kerr Raises Concerns Over NBA’s Fast Pace and Injuries

Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr has expressed serious concerns regarding the NBA’s accelerated pace of play and its impact on player health. He believes that the combination of an intensified playing style and a compressed 82-game schedule is contributing to an uptick in soft tissue injuries among players.

Recent incidents underscore Kerr’s worries. Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks suffered a groin strain, while the San Antonio Spurs announced that Victor Wembanyama is dealing with a left calf strain and Stephon Castle has a hip flexor strain. In total, five other players are sidelined with similar calf injuries, including Anthony Davis, Ja Morant, and Jrue Holiday.

Kerr noted that the Warriors’ medical staff has linked the increasing frequency of injuries to the “wear and tear” caused by the current pace of the game. According to research from ESPN, the league is experiencing its fastest average collective pace since the 1988-89 season. Kerr stated, “Across the league, everyone understands that it’s easier to score if you beat the opponent down the floor, get out in transition.”

As teams push for higher scores, the demands on players have intensified. Kerr remarked, “Players are running faster and further than before.” The Warriors are facing a particularly challenging schedule, with games almost every other night. He emphasized the lack of recovery time, saying, “We literally haven’t had a single practice on this road trip. Not one.”

Kerr has advocated for reducing the NBA schedule from 82 games to 72 or fewer. He believes that additional rest and practice opportunities throughout the season would ultimately enhance player performance and reduce injuries. He remarked, “What was different was back in the day, you did have four [games] in five nights, which was not great, but then you’d have four days between games.”

The Warriors are currently on a six-game road trip, marking their fifth back-to-back series in the first month of the season. Following their game against the Miami Heat, they will have played a league-high 17 games in 29 days across 12 cities.

Despite his concerns, Kerr expressed skepticism about the likelihood of the league agreeing to a shorter schedule due to financial implications. He stated, “The tricky part is all the constituents would have to agree to take less revenue. Imagine some big company saying, ‘You know what, we’re not as concerned about our stock price.’ That’s not happening.”

As the season progresses, the NBA and its stakeholders will need to consider the balance between an entertaining, fast-paced game and the health of its athletes. Kerr’s observations highlight an ongoing debate about the sustainability of current playing conditions and their effects on player longevity.