The Most Devastating Sports Injuries That Happened at the Worst Possible Time
Of course, there’s never a good time for an injury, but some injuries in professional sports truly strike at the worst possible moments—right when a championship is within reach or a career is poised for greatness. These injuries, while often a harsh reminder of the fragility of an athlete’s body, also show how quickly the course of a season or career can be altered.
Here are some of the most heartbreaking injuries that happened at the worst time.
Tyrese Haliburton
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The Indiana Pacers were rolling through the 2024-2025 season, and Tyrese Haliburton was playing the role of superstar. But just as the team found themselves in the NBA Finals, disaster struck. Haliburton played through a calf injury, but a torn Achilles tendon in Game 7’s first quarter ended his postseason and derailed the Pacers’ title chances.
Derrick Rose
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The Chicago Bulls had the next great NBA player in Derrick Rose, and the 2011 MVP season was supposed to signal the start of something big. Sadly, Rose’s knee injury during the 2012 playoffs tore apart his ascent. His ACL injury forced him to sit out the next season and hindered his career long-term. His rise to superstardom was cut tragically short at the peak of his potential.
Carson Wentz
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Everything seemed lined up perfectly for Carson Wentz and the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017. His MVP-caliber season had the Eagles primed for a Super Bowl run, until Wentz tore his ACL during Week 14 against the Los Angeles Rams. Backup Nick Foles took over and led the team to the Super Bowl, but Wentz’s absence turned a personal win into a reminder of what could’ve been for him and the Eagles.
Klay Thompson
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The Warriors were within one game of another NBA title in 2019 when Klay Thompson’s ACL gave out. During Game 6, he suffered a tear after being fouled by Toronto’s Danny Green on a breakaway dunk attempt. Despite a courageous attempt to return to the game, his injury ended Golden State’s dynasty dreams and gave the Raptors the chance to claim their first-ever championship.
Kevin Durant
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Kevin Durant’s return to the 2019 NBA Finals after recovering from a calf strain was supposed to help the Warriors clinch another title. However, a torn Achilles in just 12 minutes of Game 5 altered everything. The Warriors’ hopes of winning another title came to an end, and Durant’s injury marked a major turning point in his career, one that would require him to fight back from multiple setbacks.
Robert Griffin III
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Washington fans were excited after Robert Griffin III’s standout rookie season in 2012 fueled dreams of a Super Bowl. But during the 2013 Wildcard game against the Seahawks, disaster struck when he reinjured his knee. That setback not only crushed Washington’s playoff hopes but also limited Griffin’s once-explosive dual-threat ability. As his career stalled, he was eventually replaced by Kirk Cousins.
Tank Dell
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Tank Dell was turning heads in the 2024 season by playing a major role in the Houston Texans’ rise to playoff contention. However, after a spectacular catch in Week 16, Dell collided with a defender before suffering a dislocated knee and torn ligaments. This injury not only ended his season but also sealed the Texans’ fate in their playoff pursuit, as they fell short without him in their lineup.
Carson Palmer
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After guiding the Bengals to their first playoff appearance in 15 years, Carson Palmer’s promising postseason run was ruined in the 2005 Wildcard game against the Steelers. Palmer tore his ACL and MCL after a hit, which left Cincinnati to face the Steelers without its star quarterback. The injury crushed the Bengals’ chances for a playoff victory.
LaDainian Tomlinson
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LaDainian Tomlinson was key to the Chargers’ push for the Super Bowl in 2007, but his MCL sprain became his downfall in the AFC Championship. Despite playing through the injury, Tomlinson’s knee betrayed him, and the Patriots defeated San Diego to reach the Super Bowl. His inability to finish the game marked the end of what could have been a legendary playoff run for the Chargers.
Kyrie Irving (2015 NBA Finals)
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An MRI on Kyrie Irving’s left knee after Game 1 of the NBA Finals revealed a fractured kneecap. The Cavaliers announced he would undergo season-ending surgery at the Cleveland Clinic, with a recovery time projected at three to four months. Irving suffered the injury in overtime of Cleveland’s 108-100 loss to the Warriors. It was a crushing blow for Cleveland, as it happened in the opening game of the championship series after he had played 44 minutes and delivered 23 points, seven rebounds, six assists, four steals, and two blocks, while also limiting Stephen Curry to 1-of-5 shooting on six plays.
Odell Beckham Jr.
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In Super Bowl LVI, Odell Beckham Jr. started strong for the Rams and even caught a touchdown pass as part of an impressive first half. However, just before halftime, he tore his ACL again and cut short what could have been a signature Super Bowl performance. Though the Rams won the game, Beckham’s injury kept him from playing a major role in the victory and significantly altered his career trajectory.
Jim McMahon
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Jim McMahon, the quarterback who had led the Bears to their Super Bowl XX title the year before, entered the 1986 season as the starter but was hampered by a rotator cuff injury, worsened by a late hit from Packers defensive tackle Charles Martin. He played in only six of the team’s first 12 games, and Chicago rotated through Mike Tomczak, Steve Fuller, and Doug Flutie in his absence. The Bears still finished 14–2 with the league’s top-ranked defense, but McMahon did not play in their Divisional Playoff against Washington.
Aaron Rodgers
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In 2023, Aaron Rodgers’ arrival at the New York Jets created massive buzz around the team. But just four plays into the season opener, Rodgers tore his Achilles tendon, which sidelined him for the entire season. Without their star quarterback, the Jets struggled to find their footing and finished with a disappointing 7–10 record.
Tim Krumrie
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Tim Krumrie was a defensive standout for the Bengals in the 1980s, but his Super Bowl dreams were dashed in a single moment. During Super Bowl 23 against the 49ers, Krumrie broke his leg while attempting a tackle. Despite the severity of the injury, he played on for another six years, but the Bengals’ Super Bowl chances that day were lost with the injury.
Brandon Webb
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Brandon Webb was one of the top pitchers in baseball who earned a Cy Young Award and led the Diamondbacks to postseason glory. Unfortunately, a shoulder injury in 2009 sidelined him for the entire season, and his attempts at a comeback were unsuccessful. Webb never returned to his Cy Young form, and his injury cut short a promising career that could have been Hall of Fame-bound.