Sports Doctor Says NBA Should Not Shorten Seasons Despite Injuries

Sports doctor Dr. Brian Sutterer stated that the NBA should not shorten its 82-game regular season despite a recent surge in player injuries. Responding to remarks by former player Iman Shumpert, Dr. Sutterer argued that data does not link the schedule or back-to-back games to increased injury rates, adding that load management and rest days have also failed to reduce ailments.

Dr. Sutterer noted that early-season injuries are predominantly lower-body muscle strains caused by improper offseason and preseason conditioning rather than schedule-driven exhaustion. The debate comes as numerous prominent players, including Chet Holmgren, Anthony Edwards, and Paolo Banchero, have recently been sidelined with significant injuries.