The Cleveland Cavaliers have installed temporary platform extensions around the entire perimeter of their home floor at Rocket Arena, eliminating a 10-inch drop-off that had troubled players and coaches for years.
The modification was first seen Wednesday, when the Cavaliers played their first home game since Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic injured his ankle after stepping off the raised court while taking a corner three-pointer. Team officials confirmed the change, describing it as a short-term measure developed with the NBA, the National Basketball Players Association and independent flooring specialists.
Cleveland’s playing surface sits roughly 10 inches above rubber mats that cover the arena’s hockey rink, supported by wooden risers. The newly added extenders sit flush with the court’s edge, removing the gap that created the sudden elevation change.
A permanent redesign is expected before the 2024-25 season, according to a Cavaliers spokesperson.
The raised floor has attracted criticism across the league. Over the past three seasons, the Lakers, the Miami Heat and the players union have formally objected to the configuration. The court at Rocket Arena is the only one of its kind currently used in the NBA.
The most serious injury linked to the drop-off occurred in 2023, when guard Dru Smith suffered a season-ending ACL sprain after landing awkwardly in the same area. The Cavaliers note that approximately 1,300 regular-season games have been played on the surface over more than three decades without similar incidents.
An NBA spokesperson said the league would not comment beyond acknowledging that the fix originated with the team.
Source: Hoops Wire
