Official Announcement: ACL Tear Sidelines Cui Yongxi for the Season

Just two days ago, during a G League matchup between the Long Island Nets and the Maine Celtics, Cui Yongxi suffered a devastating knee injury while battling for a rebound. The incident occurred when he landed awkwardly, and the immediate reactions from fans suggested the situation might be serious. Yesterday, those fears were confirmed as reports emerged stating that Cui had sustained an ACL injury in his left knee. Today, the Brooklyn Nets made it official: Cui Yongxi has suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and will miss the remainder of the season.

Initially, the term "damage" offered a glimmer of hope to fans, but the final diagnosis dashed those hopes. To provide some context, the American Medical Association (AMA) classifies ACL injuries into three grades. Grade 1 involves minor tears, Grade 2 represents partial tears, and Grade 3 refers to a complete rupture. For professional athletes, even a Grade 2 injury often requires surgery, which typically sidelines a player for an entire season. Based on the way Cui sustained his injury—an awkward landing followed by visible pain and an inability to stand—it was likely a Grade 2 or Grade 3 injury from the outset. The situation is reminiscent of Klay Thompson’s ACL tear during the 2019 NBA Finals.

The Incident

At the time of the injury, Cui Yongxi had played 11 minutes, recording 2 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists on 1-for-4 shooting. Just one game earlier, against the Hawks’ G League affiliate, Cui had delivered his best performance yet, logging 14 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks in 24 minutes. He shot 5-for-11 from the field and 4-for-8 from three-point range, showcasing his potential as a 3-and-D wing—a skill set highly coveted in the NBA.

Cui’s journey in the NBA has been challenging thus far. In five NBA regular-season appearances, he played a total of 10 minutes, scoring just 3 points on 1-for-7 shooting, including 0-for-3 from beyond the arc. In contrast, his G League opportunities have been slightly more plentiful. Before his injury, Cui had played five G League games, averaging 16.9 minutes, 6.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game with an impressive 42.9% three-point shooting rate.

Timing and Context

Cui’s injury came at an especially unfortunate time. His Long Island Nets teammate, AJ Lawson, had recently signed with the Toronto Raptors after a stellar G League campaign, averaging 24.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. Lawson’s departure created more playing time for Cui, but the young forward only managed two games before suffering his season-ending injury.

Many have speculated about the cause of Cui’s injury. A common theory suggests that he had rapidly gained over 10 pounds in a short period, which may have placed excessive strain on his body. Coupled with the intense physical demands of G League training and competition, his body may not have had sufficient time to adapt.

The Challenge of ACL Injuries

An ACL tear is widely regarded as one of the most debilitating injuries for athletes. It has derailed countless careers, and even with advances in modern sports medicine, returning to pre-injury form is far from guaranteed. Players often require a full year to recover, followed by additional time to regain their confidence and adjust to the speed of competition.

There is a silver lining, however. Advances in surgical techniques and rehabilitation protocols have significantly improved outcomes for ACL injuries in recent years. Additionally, Cui is only 21 years old, and younger athletes tend to recover more effectively than older ones.

The Road Ahead for Cui Yongxi

While there are reasons to remain optimistic about Cui’s recovery, the path forward is fraught with challenges. Unlike established NBA players who have already proven their worth, Cui is still striving to solidify his place in the league. The injury will not only sideline him for the rest of the season but also deprive him of valuable development time—arguably the most critical period of his young career.

The Brooklyn Nets’ patience will be key to determining Cui’s future. If the organization is willing to invest in his recovery and development, he could still find a role within their system. However, if the Nets decide to part ways with him at the end of the season, Cui may face an uphill battle to secure another opportunity in the NBA.

Criticism and Hope

Since Cui Yongxi entered the NBA, he has faced relentless scrutiny. Critics have questioned whether he earned his spot on merit or through connections, while others have compared him unfavorably to players like Yuki Kawamura, suggesting he would be better off returning to the CBA.

Objectively, Cui’s performances in the NBA and G League have been underwhelming so far. However, dismissing his potential at such an early stage seems premature. After Zhou Qi’s departure, Cui represents one of the few Chinese players attempting to carve out a career in the NBA. If Chinese fans are unwilling to support and be patient with their own players, who will?

Even if Cui’s NBA journey ultimately ends in disappointment, the experience and growth he gains from competing at this level will far outweigh what he could achieve by returning to the CBA prematurely. For a young player who has sacrificed financial security and faced immense pressure to chase his dreams, this injury is a heartbreaking setback.

Here’s hoping Cui Yongxi makes a full recovery and returns stronger than ever, ready to prove his doubters wrong.