NBA History: 5 Injuries that changed the NBA forever

#2 Karl Malone - Los Angeles Lakers (2003)

Karl Malone clashed with Kobe Bryant during his one-year spell in Los Angeles

After spending nearly two decades with the Utah Jazz, Karl Malone joined the Los Angeles Lakers in the summer of 2003 as he attempted to win a championship. The combination of Malone, Gary Payton, Shaquille O'Neal, and Kobe Bryant made the Lakers favorites for the title, although Malone was forced to miss almost 40 games after suffering a serious injury.

The 40-year-old returned for the playoffs but was injured during the Finals as the Lakers were defeated by the Detroit Pistons. In the ensuing summer, Kobe Bryant flirted with an exit, while Shaq left for Miami. O'Neal later claimed that he would have spent his entire career in Los Angeles if not for Malone's injury, a scenario that would have forced Bryant to fulfill his threat of joining a rival team.

Ultimately, Malone's injury may have cost the Lakers a title, although its knock-on effect paved the way for Kobe to become the greatest Laker of all-time.