NBA using AI to find out the sudden spike in Achilles injuries

The NBA is turning to artificial intelligence to investigate an alarming rise in Achilles injuries after a record-setting spike during the 2024–25 season.

One of the sad takeaways from the 2024-25 season is the rise in Achilles injuries.

The NBA Commissioner, Adam Silver, has acknowledged this as a growing issue and hinted at integrating artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze and potentially prevent future incidents.

This season saw seven Achilles injuries, more than any previous season. In comparison, last season had none.

While this number might not look big at face value, it counts for a lot when looked at in the historic context of the NBA. As reported by the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine, there have only been 45 Achilles ruptures recorded across 32 NBA seasons since 1990–91. Therefore, this year’s jump in this injury of the tendon raises eyebrows, especially with it affecting major playoff names like Jayson Tatum, Damian Lillard, and Tyrese Haliburton. They suffered the injury in Game 7 of the NBA Finals.

“I’m hopeful that by looking at more data, by looking at patterns, this is one area where A.I. – people are talking about how that’s going to transform so many areas – the ability with A.I. to ingest all video of every game a player’s played in to see if you can detect some pattern that we didn’t realize that leads to an Achilles injury,” Silver said.

“We’re taking it very seriously.”

The timing of the injuries also challenges assumptions.

“The majority of Achilles injuries over the last decade occurred before the All-Star break,” Silver stated, suggesting season length alone may not be to blame.