How Late-Season Injuries Have Altered Team Fortunes in Sports

The impact of late-season injuries on a team’s performance can be monumental, as seen in various sports. Recent events surrounding the Denver Broncos highlight this phenomenon. After a triumphant 33-30 divisional-round victory over the Buffalo Bills, the Broncos faced a devastating blow with the announcement that starting quarterback Bo Nix suffered a broken ankle. This injury occurred during one of the game’s final plays and forces backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham to lead the team against the New England Patriots in the upcoming AFC Championship Game.

Changing Fortunes in Sports

Denver began the postseason as the AFC’s top seed, boasting an impressive 8-1 record at home this season. However, Nix’s injury has shifted betting odds, with the Patriots emerging as 5.5-point favorites. This situation underscores how a key injury in late-season can derail championship aspirations.

Historical Examples of Injuries Impacting Championships

Injuries to crucial players have consistently altered the fate of teams in sports history. Here are several notable examples:

• Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson, 2019 Golden State Warriors: The Warriors faced a dire situation in the 2019 NBA Finals. While trailing the series 3-1, Durant ruptured his Achilles. Following this, Thompson suffered an ACL tear. Golden State ultimately lost the series to the Toronto Raptors, 4-2.
• Kenyon Martin, 1999-2000 Cincinnati Bearcats: Martin’s fibula injury during the Conference USA Tournament diminished the top-seeded Bearcats’ chances. After being a No. 1 seed, they fell to Tulsa in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
• Kyrie Irving, 2015 Cleveland Cavaliers: In Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Irving fractured his knee cap, while Kevin Love was already sidelined. LeBron James could not secure victory alone, leading to a Finals loss against the Warriors.
• Tyrese Haliburton, 2025 Indiana Pacers: Haliburton’s Achilles tear during Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder resulted in a loss for the Pacers, who were competing against the odds.
• Colt McCoy, 2009-10 Texas Longhorns: In the national championship game, McCoy suffered a shoulder injury, causing Texas to lose to Alabama 37-21 after his replacement struggled to perform.
• Juju Watkins, 2025 USC Trojans: The star player tore her ACL during the NCAA Women’s Tournament, leading to the Trojans’ elimination despite their prior success in the tournament.
• Jim Rice, 1975 Boston Red Sox: Rice’s hand injury in September sidelined him for the postseason, resulting in a World Series defeat for Boston against the Cincinnati Reds.
• Brock Purdy, 2022-23 San Francisco 49ers: Purdy’s UCL injury in the NFC Championship Game ended his remarkable season. His absence contributed to the team’s loss against the Philadelphia Eagles.
• Carey Price, 2013-14 Montreal Canadiens: Price’s knee injury during the Eastern Conference finals diminished Montreal’s title hopes, resulting in a series loss to the New York Rangers.
• Derrick Rose, 2011-12 Chicago Bulls: The youngest MVP in NBA history suffered an ACL tear in the playoffs, leading to a first-round exit for Chicago and impacting his career trajectory.

These instances illustrate the unpredictable nature of sports and how late-season injuries can dramatically change team fortunes. Fans continue to monitor the ongoing situations and reflect on the historical implications of player injuries.