The Cavaliers heard the concerns - and this time, they didn’t wait.
After years of quiet grumbling from around the league and one very public scare, Cleveland has made a tangible change to its home floor at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The team has installed temporary platform extensions along the sidelines and baselines, effectively eliminating the drop-off that’s long made players uneasy.
This move comes on the heels of a moment that caught the attention of the entire NBA. During a recent game in Cleveland, Lakers star Luka Doncic stepped back after launching a corner three, lost his footing off the edge of the raised court, and rolled his ankle. It was the kind of moment that sends a chill through every player and coach - a reminder that sometimes, the danger isn’t the opponent, but the floor beneath your feet.
Here’s the issue: Cleveland’s court isn’t like the others. It’s built about 10 inches above the rubber mats that typically cover the hockey rink below. The hardwood sits on wooden risers, almost like box springs, creating a visible and potentially hazardous gap between the playing surface and the surrounding floor.
That gap is now gone - at least for now. On Wednesday, when the Cavs returned home, fans could see the change immediately. Platform extenders were installed flush to the court’s edge, smoothing out the transition and removing the drop-off that’s been a source of concern for years.
A team spokesperson confirmed the installation, describing it as a temporary fix developed in collaboration with the NBA, the players’ union, and independent flooring experts. The plan is to implement a permanent solution before the start of next season.
This isn’t a new issue. Around the league, Cleveland’s raised floor has been a topic of conversation for some time.
Over the past three years, the Lakers, the Heat, and the NBPA have all voiced concerns about the setup. And for good reason - it’s the only court of its kind in the NBA.
While the Cavs have pointed to their long track record - more than 1,300 regular-season games played on that floor over three decades without widespread incident - there’s at least one major injury directly tied to the drop-off. In 2023, Miami guard Dru Smith landed awkwardly in that same area, suffering a severe ACL sprain that ended his season.
Incidents like that don’t just raise eyebrows - they raise red flags. Even if the injury count is low, the perception of danger is enough to warrant action.
Players need to trust the floor they’re playing on. And when that trust is shaken - especially in a league where every step, pivot, and landing matters - teams have a responsibility to respond.
To their credit, the Cavaliers did just that. The fix may be temporary, but the message is clear: player safety isn’t negotiable.