“While the optics of this injury may have appeared to be more severe, surgery will not be required”—Dr. Martin O’Malley

On Monday night, you could hear a collective gasp from Brooklyn Nets fans all over the New York metro area when Nets guard Caris LeVert came down hard on his right leg after colliding with Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Jeff Teague at the Target Center in Minneapolis. LeVert was doing what he always does putting his heart and soul into every game and this time he was attempting to block a Timberwolves shot in the closing seconds (3.7) of the first half.

Even watching on television, you could tell from LeVert’s body language, sitting up and then lying down with his hand over his head that he was in pain while waiting for medics to take him to the hospital. According to a press release from the Nets, LeVert returned to New York with the team and later he was evaluated at the Hospital for Special Surgery, a Nets partner hospital, by Nets’ Team Orthopedist Dr. Martin O’Malley. Following the evaluation, LeVert was diagnosed with a subtalar dislocation of the right foot.

“Fortunately, tests performed this morning revealed that there are no fractures and only moderate ligament damage,” said Dr. O’Malley. “While the optics of this injury may have appeared to be more severe, surgery will not be required. Caris will begin a period of rehabilitation with the Nets’ performance staff, following which he is expected to return to full strength and resume all basketball activities without any limitations this season.”

LeVert also gave fans reassurance, while thanking everyone for their best wishes.

I just want to thank God above all things b/c despite how bad the injury looked, it could’ve been a lot worse. Thanks to all for the prayers, messages, love, support for both my family & me. We appreciate you all! Can’t wait to get back out there with my brothers!!! @BrooklynNets pic.twitter.com/ZaOYO8WKl6

— Caris LeVert (@CarisLeVert) November 14, 2018

In 14 games this season, LeVert has averaged a career-high 18.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.2 steals in 29.7 minutes per contest. He is the only player in the league this season to convert multiple game-winning baskets with less than 10 seconds remaining in regulation or overtime.

The way LeVert was playing this NBA season, I had him in the conversation for NBA All-Star consideration and it was amazing and heartwarming to see the outpouring of love and respect from players around the league when the news of LeVert’s injury became public.

We wish LeVert a full and speedy recovery.

Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez underwent successful surgery this morning, January 4, 2014, to repair the fractured fifth metatarsal of his right foot, Nets' General Manager Billy King announced.

The procedure was performed by Dr. James Nunley, Duke University Medical Center's Department Chair of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nets' foot and ankle specialist Dr. Martin O'Malley and team medical director Dr. Riley Williams III. In addition to the fracture repair, a second procedure, a first metatarsal osteotomy, was performed to unload and protect the injured area.

"With this procedure, we both fixed the broken bone (fifth metatarsal) in Brook's right foot and repositioned another bone, so that the sole of his foot will bear weight more evenly than before," said Dr. Williams. "The repositioning portion of the surgery lessens the stress on the fractured bone, and decreases the likelihood of re-injury in the future."

Lopez, who was injured during the December 20th game at Philadelphia, is out for the remainder of the season, but is expected to make a full recovery and will be back on the court for offseason workouts.

At the time of his injury, Lopez was averaging a team-high 20.7 points along with 6.0 rebounds and 1.76 blocks through 17 games played this season.