A look back at the impactful moment that changed Danny Green's career.
In a heartbreaking turn of events for the Philadelphia 76ers, forward Danny Green sustained a severe knee injury during Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Miami Heat on May 12, 2022. The 76ers fell to the Heat with a score of 99-90, marking a disappointing end to their playoff run.
The injury occurred in the first quarter when Green collided with superstar teammate Joel Embiid, who fell into Green’s left leg following a shot attempt. This unexpected collision left Green crumpled on the floor, visibly in pain.
The gravity of his injury became evident when he attempted to walk off the court. As he stood up, his knee buckled, prompting immediate concern from both the medical staff and his teammates.
Following the game, the Sixers announced that Green had torn both the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the lateral cruciate ligament (LCL) in his left knee.
His absence meant that the Sixers lost a veteran presence and a key player known for his defensive skills and three-point shooting. Meanwhile, Embiid walked away from the incident without injury, a fortunate outcome amid the chaos. Green faced a long road to recovery, which included several months of rehabilitation.
After an extended recovery period, Green was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2022 NBA draft. He made his return to the court on Feb. 1, 2023. Unfortunately, his knee injury limited his participation for most of the 2022–2023 season. Following a stint with the Grizzlies, he also played for the Cleveland Cavaliers before making a comeback to the Sixers for a second time.
After sustaining the injury, Green played in just 17 more games over the following two seasons, including four playoff appearances. His last appearance in the NBA came on Oct. 28, 2023, during a game with the Sixers. Following a trade that sent James Harden to the LA Clippers, Green was subsequently waived by Philadelphia.
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Danny Green announced his retirement from professional basketball on Thursday, marking the end of a remarkable 15-season career in the NBA.
Green leaves a legacy that includes three NBA championships with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014, the Toronto Raptors in 2019, and the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020. He was a starter on all three of those title-winning teams and averaged 8.7 points throughout his career.
Reflecting on his decision to step away from the game, Green shared his thoughts on his YouTube channel, saying, “I’m officially moving on from the game of basketball and the NBA. It’s been a great run. I’m very proud to be able to walk away from the game. I’m at peace with it. I wasn’t at first, but I think it’s one of those things — once I turned 37, the body started reacting a little differently.”
As he considered his physical condition, Green noted, “My body was letting me know. I was getting little calf strains here and there. But also, when you get older, teams aren’t calling as much. Unfortunately, my services weren’t as sought-after as they were when I was younger. It’s been a hell of a ride.”
Over the course of his career, Green became known for his exceptional shooting ability. He retires with a total of 1,577 made three-pointers, ranking 43rd in NBA history. He is also one of only 12 players to achieve at least 40% shooting from beyond the arc while making that many three-pointers.
In addition to his regular-season success, Green excelled in the postseason, ranking ninth all-time with 315 playoff three-pointers.
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