4 NBA players who collapsed on the court

Contact is a part and parcel of many sports. However, it's devastating to see players go down with injuries in the NBA or any other league. Some instances can have lasting or even fatal impacts.

The NBA has seen such unfortunate instances in the past. Here are four players who collapsed on the court.

#1 Reggie Lewis

Former Boston Celtics star Reggie Lewis collapsed on the court during a game against the Charlotte Hornets on April 23rd, 1993. He returned to the court after getting treated but couldn't continue playing. The All-Star guard was initially diagnosed with focal cardiomyopathy.

The diagnosis was later changed to a nonfatal heart condition that causes fainting spells and neurocardiogenic syncope. Lewis was only 27 when this unfortunate instance took place.

Expand Tweet

#2 Conrad McRae

Conrad McRae spent years trying to become an NBA player. He moved to Europe shortly after the Washington Bullets drafted him in the second round of the 1993 draft.. McRae had a solid run abroad, playing in various countries.

He attempted to return to the NBA in 1999 and even signed a 10-day contract with the Denver Nuggets. However, the former Syracuse role player fainted on the court before a game on April 12th, 1999, which got his deal terminated.

#3 Pistol Pete Maravich

Pistol Pete Maravich played for ten years in the NBA. He represented Atlanta, New Orleans, Utah and Boston during his career. Maravich was one of the best offensive players in the 1970s. He averaged 24.2 points per game, including a league-leading 31.1 PPG in 1976-77. He was also known for his exquisite ball-handling skills.

Expand Tweet

Maravich collapsed while playing a three-on-three pickup game on January 5th, 1988. The cause of his fatal collapse was a heart defect that went undetected.

#4 Maurice Stokes

Maurice Stokes was among the biggest "what if" players in NBA history. He played for three years with the Royals (Rochester/Cincinnati) between 1955-1958 and made the All-Star team all three years. He also won the Rookie of the Year award and was the best rebounder in the game during his playing years.

However, Stokes' career was cut short in the final game of his last season on March 12th, 1958. He got knocked unconscious after driving to the basket and hitting his head on the court.

He returned to the game after the medical staff used smelling salts to revive him. Stokes, a Hall of Famer, never played in the NBA again and died at the age of 36 on April 6th, 1970 due to a heart attack. He suffered paralysis and diminished motor control function from the brain injury.