The Cleveland Cavaliers have added temporary extensions around their home court after Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers guard, had an injury scare after he fell off the raised court
The Cleveland Cavaliers have added temporary extensions around their home court at the Rocket Arena. Previously, the Cavaliers’ court was raised 10 inches off the ground, but platform extenders now line the court in order to prevent players from falling off the court and injuring themselves.
This adjustment comes after Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers guard, had an injury scare where Dončić fell off the ledge after a three-point attempt and had to be removed from the game in the Lakers-Cavaliers matchup on Jan. 28. Fortunately for the Lakers, Dončić was not seriously injured and returned later that game.
“In collaboration with the NBA, NBPA, and independent flooring experts, we have made an adjustment to our court layout designed to improve player safety,” a Cavs spokesperson said in a statement, according to the Akron Beacon Journal. “These temporary protective court extensions will be in place for the remainder of the season.”
Luka had to go back to the locker room after an apparent leg injury at the edge of the court. pic.twitter.com/QxPvkiE5p0
— ESPN (@espn) January 29, 2026
Aforementioned Cavaliers spokesperson said a permanent solution to the court is planned to be implemented before the start of next season.
Dončić isn’t the only player to fall victim to this court, as Nov. 22, 2023, Miami Heat guard Dru Smith slipped off the Cavaliers court and suffered an ACL injury that kept him out for the remainder of the season.
“It is absolutely a safety hazard, and I don’t know why it’s still like that,” Lakers Head Coach JJ Redick said after their Jan. 28 game. “I don’t. And you can lodge formal complaints. A lot of times you don’t see any change when you lodge a formal complaint.”