Chauncey Billups recalls what he felt after suffering a career-ending injury: “I don’t know if it’s torn, but I know it’s not good” originally appeared on Basketball Network.
Chauncey Billups suited up for the Los Angeles Clippers towards the tail end of his career but was hardly a factor. Injuries were getting rampant for the five-time All-Star at the time, so he played only 48 games for the franchise.
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One of the major scares Billups had to endure in his first season with the Clippers was when he suffered a torn left Achilles injury on February 6, 2012. Los Angeles defeated the Orlando Magic, 107-102. Unfortunately, it was also the game where they lost Billups for the rest of the season.
“It felt like somebody kicked me, man,” Billups shared after that game via AFP. “I don’t know if it’s torn but I know it’s not good,” he added.
Before going down with that injury, Chauncey contributed 18 points and 3 assists in 31 minutes of action. Chris Paul led the Clippers in that win with a game-high 29 points. The loss of Billups for the season was unfortunate, especially considering the team was off to a good start. The Clippers were 15-7 up to that point with Chauncey playing in all but one game (against the Bulls, December 30, 2011) that year.
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Billups was never the same
After years of playing most of the regular season, that injury was a sign of things to come for Mr. Big Shot. Although he recovered from that 2012 injury, new ones cropped up in the 2012-13 season, such as back problems, tendinitis, and foot issues.
The 2004 Finals MVP admitted via NBA.com that his ordeal was very frustrating. However, he refused to let the health setbacks keep him down.
“I know what it is. I respect the process and I’m not down at all. Of course, I want to be out there, but it is what it is. It’s all about the marathon for me,” Billups quipped.
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Because of those setbacks with injuries, Billups played only 22 regular-season games and 6 postseason games for the Clippers. Despite his resiliency, the dip in his performance was notable. In his last regular season with the Clippers, Billups averaged a woeful 8.4 points and 2.2 assists per game in just 19 minutes of action. With his health a big question mark, the Clippers never bothered to re-sign Chauncey, resulting in him becoming a free agent in the summer of 2013.
Billups would return to the Detroit Pistons instead. However, his injury woes persisted, and he played in only 19 games for the Motor City squad.
His performance was subpar, resulting in the Pistons not bringing him back for the 2014-15 season. Billups would end up retiring on September 9, 2014, aware that his body could no longer take it.
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No hard feelings
Billups had no grudge with the Pistons, even if his second coming was forgettable. He knew his health was a problem, and management had to do what was best for the team. For Chauncey, the Pistons will forever be home for him. It was in Detroit where he made his mark. That included winning his first and only championship in 2004 and being hailed as the Finals MVP that same year.
“It was in Detroit where I became an NBA champion, and it was in Detroit where I became ‘Mr. Big Shot.’ It was in Detroit where I finally became an All-Star. It was in Detroit where I became known as a winner, which is all I ever wanted. And also, it was in Detroit where the number one jersey is hanging in the rafters. I never thought I needed a second home, but in Detroit, I have one,” Billup stated.
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Billups was a silent but effective operator who hardly cared about the attention or fanfare. He had a stellar NBA career, something any player could yearn for. Unfortunately, injuries prevented him from getting the graceful exit he deserved. Regardless, Billups made his mark and was arguably one of the best overlooked guards in recent NBA history.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Aug 19, 2025, where it first appeared.