“While the optics of this injury may have appeared to be more severe, surgery will not be required”—Dr. Martin O’Malley

On Monday night, you could hear a collective gasp from Brooklyn Nets fans all over the New York metro area when Nets guard Caris LeVert came down hard on his right leg after colliding with Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Jeff Teague at the Target Center in Minneapolis. LeVert was doing what he always does putting his heart and soul into every game and this time he was attempting to block a Timberwolves shot in the closing seconds (3.7) of the first half.

Even watching on television, you could tell from LeVert’s body language, sitting up and then lying down with his hand over his head that he was in pain while waiting for medics to take him to the hospital. According to a press release from the Nets, LeVert returned to New York with the team and later he was evaluated at the Hospital for Special Surgery, a Nets partner hospital, by Nets’ Team Orthopedist Dr. Martin O’Malley. Following the evaluation, LeVert was diagnosed with a subtalar dislocation of the right foot.

“Fortunately, tests performed this morning revealed that there are no fractures and only moderate ligament damage,” said Dr. O’Malley. “While the optics of this injury may have appeared to be more severe, surgery will not be required. Caris will begin a period of rehabilitation with the Nets’ performance staff, following which he is expected to return to full strength and resume all basketball activities without any limitations this season.”

LeVert also gave fans reassurance, while thanking everyone for their best wishes.

I just want to thank God above all things b/c despite how bad the injury looked, it could’ve been a lot worse. Thanks to all for the prayers, messages, love, support for both my family & me. We appreciate you all! Can’t wait to get back out there with my brothers!!! @BrooklynNets pic.twitter.com/ZaOYO8WKl6

— Caris LeVert (@CarisLeVert) November 14, 2018

In 14 games this season, LeVert has averaged a career-high 18.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.2 steals in 29.7 minutes per contest. He is the only player in the league this season to convert multiple game-winning baskets with less than 10 seconds remaining in regulation or overtime.

The way LeVert was playing this NBA season, I had him in the conversation for NBA All-Star consideration and it was amazing and heartwarming to see the outpouring of love and respect from players around the league when the news of LeVert’s injury became public.

We wish LeVert a full and speedy recovery.

Dr. Riley Williams III managing the health of athletes and non-athletes at the Hospital for Special Surgery and the Barclays Center in Brooklyn

Dr. Riley Williams III, Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Surgeon, at the Hospital for Special Surgery, and Brooklyn Nets Medical Director and Team Doctor, spoke with What’s The 411Sports’ Keisha Wilson and Mike McDonald about a wide range of topics.

Role as Brooklyn Nets Team Doctor

Dr. Williams’ primary goal as Brooklyn Nets Team Doctor and Medical Director is the health and well-being of the Brooklyn Nets players, which involves managing injuries and getting the athletes back into action. Dr. Williams also focuses on preventative strategies such as nutrition, sleep, and mental health around the stress of being a professional basketball player. Dr. Williams’ responsibilities extend beyond Brooklyn Nets athletes, to management and executives.

Dr. Riley Williams III on Why He Chose to Be a Doctor

Dr. Williams explains that he grew up in Los Angeles south of Compton and was looking for a way out of the neighborhood. He had an affinity for the sciences and medicine made sense because he could see a clear path for a career. You do well in college, you go on to medical school. You do well in medical school; you get to do an internship and residency, and ultimately a job.

Dr. Riley Williams III on Helping Brooklyn Nets’ Players Avoid Banned Substances

Dr. Williams explains that the NBA has a very clear and explicit policy on banned substances. If an athlete takes a banned substance, there is no response, the athlete is banned. Dr. Williams reviews the NBA's banned substance list annually and he and his colleagues do their very best to keep Brooklyn Nets players out of harm's way.

Dr. Williams on Managing his Daily Schedule

Dr. Williams explains how he juggles his responsibilities of family, private patients, the Brooklyn Nets and the Red Bulls soccer team.

Dr. Riley Williams III on Yale University's Men's Basketball Team Making NCAA Tourney

Although basketball and sports were not a priority while he was a student a Yale, Dr. Williams is excited that his alma mater made it into the NCAA tournament. He also reminded us that Jeremy Lin went to Harvard and he is still playing in the NBA, so although Harvard and Yale are Ivy League schools, there is still good basketball played at those institutions.

Dr. Riley Williams III on the Outlook for the Brooklyn Nets

Dr. Williams believes that now that the Brooklyn Nets are immersed into Brooklyn, good things are coming. He is also happy to see clarity surrounding the team’s leadership.

Dr. Williams roots for the Brooklyn Nets, follows Nets Daily, and can see that at Brooklyn Nets home games, Brooklyn Nets fans are beginning to outnumber fans of other teams.

Dr. Riley Williams III on Brooklyn Nets' Players Transition to Brooklyn

Dr. Riley says that the mid-season move of the Brooklyn Nets training and practice facility from New Jersey to Brooklyn has slowed the transition of Nets players making Brooklyn their home. More time is needed before the players can totally give up New Jersey. Thaddeus Young is the one Nets player that did move to Brooklyn because he has a family. However, more players will probably move to Brooklyn or to southern Manhattan once the season ends.

In this video, Dr. Riley Williams III, Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Surgeon at the Hospital for Special Surgery, and Brooklyn Nets Medical Director and Team Doctor sees that with the mid-season move of the Brooklyn Nets training and practice facility from New Jersey to Brooklyn, more time is needed before the players give up New Jersey. Thaddeus Young is the one Nets player that did move to Brooklyn because he has a family. However, more players will probably move to Brooklyn or to southern Manhattan once the season ends.

In this video, Dr. Riley Williams III, Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Surgeon at the Hospital for Special Surgery, and Brooklyn Nets Medical Director and Team Doctor believes that now that the Brooklyn Nets are immersed into Brooklyn good things are coming. He is also happy to see clarity surrounding the team’s leadership. Dr. Williams roots for the Brooklyn Nets, follows Nets Daily, and can see there is a transition of fans of other teams coming to Nets games because the tickets were cheaper to those who are Nets fans.

In this video Dr. Riley Williams III, Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Surgeon at the Hospital for Special Surgery, and Brooklyn Nets Medical Director and Team Doctor said that although basketball and sports were not a priority while he was a student a Yale, but he is excited that his alma mater made it into the NCAA tournament. He also reminded us that Jeremy Lin went to Harvard and he is still playing in the NBA, so although Harvard and Yale are Ivy League schools, there is still good basketball played at those institutions.

In this video, Dr. Riley Williams III, Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Surgeon at the Hospital for Special Surgery, and Brooklyn Nets Medical Director and Team Doctor explains how he juggles his responsibilities during the day.

Dr. Riley Williams III, Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Surgeon at the Hospital for Special Surgery, and Brooklyn Nets Medical Director and Team Doctor explains that the NBA has a very clear and explicit policy on banned substances. If an athlete takes a banned substance, there is no response, the athlete is banned. Dr. Williams reviews the NBA's banned substance list annually and he and his colleagues do their very best to keep Brooklyn Nets players out of harm's way.

Dr. Riley Williams III, Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Surgeon at the Hospital for Special Surgery, and Brooklyn Nets Medical Director and Team Doctor, explains that he grew up in Los Angeles south of Compton and was looking for a way out of the neighborhood. He had an affinity for the sciences and medicine made sense because he could see a clear path for a career. You do well in college, you go on to medical school. You do well in medical school; you get to do an internship and residency, and ultimately a job.

Dr. Riley Williams III, Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Surgeon at the Hospital for Special Surgery, gives us some insight into his role as the Brooklyn Nets Medical Director and Team Doctor. His primary goal is the health and well-being of the Brooklyn Nets players, which involves managing injuries and getting the athletes back into action. Dr. Williams also focuses on preventative strategies such as nutrition, mental health around the stress of being a professional basketball player; and beyond the athletes, management and executives.

VIDEO: Nets training facility move from New Jersey to Brooklyn signals the next chapter in the team’s relationship with Brooklyn

The Brooklyn Nets are finally fully immersed, in Brooklyn! The Nets opened a new state-of-the-art training and practice center in the Sunset Park section of Brooklyn. The team no longer has to travel from a practice facility in New Jersey to play games at the Barclays Center arena in Brooklyn.