New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado was taken from the court on a stretcher Thursday after a hard fall during Puerto Rico’s overtime loss to Argentina in the 2025 FIBA AmeriCup quarterfinals.
Alvarado slipped while fighting for a rebound in the extra period and landed on his tailbone, remaining on the floor for several minutes in visible pain before medical staff removed him from the game. Video of the incident circulated on social media shortly after the final buzzer.
Before the injury, the 27-year-old had scored 25 points in 36 minutes, knocking down 7 of 15 attempts from beyond the arc to keep Puerto Rico within reach. Argentina prevailed 82-77 and will meet Canada in Saturday’s semifinal.
Following the contest, Alvarado tried to reassure fans in an Instagram Story, writing, “Appreciate the love, y’all. But your boy good. God got me.” The Pelicans have not issued an official medical update.
The injury scare comes after a 2024-25 campaign in which several New Orleans regulars, including Dejounte Murray (Achilles), Trey Murphy III (shoulder) and Herbert Jones (shoulder), underwent surgery. Alvarado himself missed more than six weeks last season with a hamstring strain but still appeared in 56 games, averaging career highs of 10.3 points, 4.6 assists, 2.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 24.4 minutes.
The guard is entering the first year of a two-season, $9 million extension signed in September 2024. He is owed $4.5 million for 2025-26 and holds a $4.5 million player option for 2026-27.
Source: Hoops Rumors
