NBA: Each team’s greatest comeback from injury in franchise history

Greatest injury comeback in Washington Wizards history: Bernard King

Torn right ACL

Bernard King had seen and done it all prior to his arrival to the Washington Bullets. During the 1983-84 playoffs, he averaged 34.8 points per game as the Knicks made it to the 1984 Eastern Conference Semifinals, losing in seven games to the Boston Celtics. He led the league in scoring (32.9 ppg) in 1984-85 with the New York Knicks.

One thing he hadn’t done was suffer a season-ending injury, at least until March 23, 1985, when he tore his right ACL in a game. He didn’t make a return until April 10, 1987, due to the newness of his injury.

At a time where ACL injuries were new and medical treatment was at its peak, King made a remarkable two years of recovery despite doctors telling him he’d never play again. He signed as a free agent with the Bullets after the 1986-87 season, appearing in just four games a year prior with the Knicks.

King managed to return to the hardwood, healthy, in 1987-88, averaging 17.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. He appeared in over 80 games between 1988-90, appearing in all 82 during the 198-90 season with the Bullets.

During the 1990-91 season, he averaged a season-best 28.4 points per contest along with 5.0 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game before suffering another season-ending injury. He tried to come back again in 1992-93 with the Nets but that bid fell short.

His time with the Bullets will be remembered just as much as with the Knicks. He averaged 22.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game in 296 appearances with the team. His ACL injury slowed him down some, but he found his groove before calling it quits, elevating himself into the Hall of Fame in the process.