NBA Raises Concerns Over Cavaliers' Raised Court After Luka Injury

League and team revisit court design amid player safety worries at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse

Jan. 30, 2026 at 1:55am

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The recent incident involving Lakers star Luka Dončić, who briefly left a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers with an apparent leg injury after a fall off the raised court, has reignited the debate surrounding player safety at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The NBA and the Cavaliers are now revisiting the design of the elevated court, a feature unique to Cleveland's arena, and the potential risks it poses to players.

Why it matters

This issue is not isolated to Cleveland, as many NBA arenas are multi-purpose venues that host a variety of events, often necessitating compromises in court design and player safety. The trend towards maximizing arena revenue streams is colliding with the need to protect athletes, and the NBA must proactively address the inherent risks associated with multi-use facilities.

The details

Cleveland's court is approximately 10 inches higher than standard NBA floors, a necessity due to the basketball court sitting above the ice rink to facilitate quick conversions between sports. This shared-arena model, while financially practical, presents a clear safety concern, as evidenced by previous incidents such as Miami Heat guard Dru Smith's season-ending knee sprain in 2023. Lakers coach JJ Redick called the court 'absolutely a safety hazard'.

  • In November 2023, Miami Heat guard Dru Smith suffered a season-ending knee sprain after a similar fall.
  • On January 29, 2026, Lakers star Luka Dončić briefly left a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers with an apparent leg injury after a fall off the raised court.

The players

Luka Dončić

A star player for the Los Angeles Lakers who was briefly injured after a fall off the raised court at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

JJ Redick

The head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers who called the Cleveland Cavaliers' raised court 'absolutely a safety hazard'.

Dru Smith

A Miami Heat guard who suffered a season-ending knee sprain in 2023 after a similar fall on the raised court at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

Cleveland Cavaliers

The NBA team that plays its home games at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, which features a raised basketball court.

NBA

The professional basketball league that is now revisiting the design of the elevated court at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse and the potential risks it poses to players.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The NBA is reportedly already exploring modifications to the Cleveland court, and a league spokesperson confirmed they are 'revisiting the situation' following Dončić's injury.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing concerns around player safety in multi-purpose arenas, as the trend towards maximizing revenue streams collides with the need to protect athletes. The NBA and its teams must proactively address the inherent risks associated with these facilities and invest in solutions that prioritize the well-being of the players.