The Cleveland Cavaliers have extended their raised court as part of a collaboration with the NBA, the players’ union and independent flooring experts. Jason Miller / Getty Images
Feb. 12, 2026 2:09 pm EST
CLEVELAND — Well, the Cavs changed their floor.
The Cleveland Cavaliers 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.
Cleveland played at home Wednesday for the first time since Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić hopped backwards after a sideline 3-point attempt and fell off the floor, into the first row of the crowd, injuring his ankle.
The 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.
The same team spokesman said the temporary installation was made in collaboration with the NBA, the players’ union and independent flooring experts. A permanent solution is planned prior to the start of next season, the spokesman said.
The Lakers, Miami Heat, and players’ union had all complained to the league over the last three seasons about the Cavs’ raised floor, the only one of its kind in the NBA. In 2023, Dru Smith landed awkwardly in that same gap and severely sprained his right ACL, costing him the rest of his season. There has been one major injury (Smith’s) anyone can recall in about 1,300 regular-season games at Rocket Arena over the last 30-plus seasons.
An NBA spokesman directed The Athletic to the Cavs for comment, as the temporary solution was driven mostly by the team.
Feb 12, 2026
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