The NBA is facing a crisis of soft-tissue leg injuries, with a growing number of players missing a growing number of games due to lower-body injuries. The league is in the midst of a 'leg plague', with a particular focus on calf and hamstring strains. This trend is supported by data, with a significant increase in documented calf injuries over the past decade. The rise of one-footed moves, such as the stepback 3 and Euro-step, is being linked to this spike in injuries. These moves require rapid changes of speed and direction, putting immense strain on the calf muscle, which is particularly vulnerable to injury due to its anatomy. The NBA's emphasis on pace and space, with a focus on one-footed moves, is being questioned as a potential cause of these injuries. The league is also dealing with a rise in Achilles injuries, with a correlation between the evolution of gameplay and the evolution of injuries. The NBA is facing a choice between revenue and player wellness, with a need for real research to address this issue.
