During a Big Ten tournament game, Purdue guard Braden Smith experienced a concerning moment when he sustained a right leg injury after a non-contact play. Initially, the situation appeared dire as Smith was helped off the court and into the locker room, sparking worry among fans and commentators alike. Despite fears of a significant injury, Smith was later seen putting weight on his knee and was evaluated by the Purdue training staff. To the relief of many, it was revealed that Smith suffered a hyperextended knee and not a more serious injury. Remarkably, after a brief period of uncertainty, Smith returned to the court, demonstrating resilience and determination. His comeback was met with cheers from Purdue fans, although his performance post-injury was noted to have been affected. Purdue coach Matt Painter later clarified that Smith's injury involved his calf muscle, which, while painful, was less concerning than an ankle or knee injury. Smith himself confirmed his intention to play in the upcoming semifinal, assuring that he was "I'm playing," indicating his readiness despite the injury.
The good news: @BoilerBall Braden Smith is fine. The better news: @BoilerBall kept on keeping on without him. https://t.co/Klk21ObUUd
Braden Smith and Purdue avoid disaster @_Brian_Hamilton https://t.co/LWICNWURL4
Interview with @BoilerBall Braden Smith on his injury and availability for @B1GMBBall for @BigTenNetwork: https://t.co/uh2D93kEue
Braden Smith provided a health update to @TheAndyKatz after @BoilerBall's win in the #B1GMBBT: https://t.co/RzD5J8t3Pw
Braden Smith has his leg wrapped in the locker room. Asked about his status for tomorrow he replied simply, “Yea I’m good.”
Braden Smith called it a hyperextended knee in the Purdue locker room. Has ice on it. Asked about his status for the semifinal, Smith replied: “I’m playing.”
"He said it was his calf muscle, so that was kind of a relief - even though those can hurt - that it wasn't an ankle, it wasn't a knee." Matt Painter shares that @BoilerBall's Braden Smith going down was scary, but it wasn't anything serious. https://t.co/UhTkFHrsj2
Braden Smith has not played well since returning from injury.
Braden Smith is back in the game. 🙌 @3bradensmith x @BoilerBall #b1GMBBT https://t.co/gllZ6UIwvX
Braden Smith checks back into the game https://t.co/WfXPhp7WoO
Braden Smith has returned to the court. Not sure if this is the smartest move ...
Smith is back! Back again! Braden's back! Tell a friend! @3bradensmith x @BoilerBall https://t.co/zWodFQmzK0
Spoke with Braden Smith back by hallway. Said he’s been better. He was running back and forth in hallway. He’s now back on bench. And now he’s back in!!!! @BoilerBall
And Braden Smith is back for Purdue...
Braden Smith back in the game.
Smith back on the court to lead #Boilermakers. Huge not just for this Big Ten tournament obviously. https://t.co/HERuLxyygG
Braden Smith has checked back in for Purdue.
Spoke with Braden Smith back by hallway. Said he’s been better. He was running back and forth in hallway. He’s now back on bench. Still status TBD for @BoilerBall.
Braden Smith is back in.
Braden Smith is back!!! https://t.co/za8cP7Lg68
Braden Smith back on the bench for Purdue. Looks like good news.
Braden Smith just walked gingerly back to the Purdue bench. Purdue fans at the Target Center rejoiced.
Braden Smith returns to the bench walking on his own. Great sign for Purdue. Fans cheering at Target Center.
Big hand as Braden Smith walks, limping slightly, back to Purdue's bench.
More on Braden Smith’s injury https://t.co/7lYmRInxaP
Can't leave the Sixth Man of the Year open, or this will happen. 🎯 #B1GMBBT x @BoilerBall 📺: @BigTenNetwork https://t.co/O4WqECd0rI
Good to hear report that @BoilerBall Braden Smith is putting weight on his knee because I will say, without apology for the lack of impartiality, that it would be incredibly cruel if he's injured
Braden Smith being evaluated in back by locker room for a left knee injury. Status TBD for @BoilerBall.
Oh, man. Let’s hope Braden Smith is OK. But it didn’t look good. https://t.co/EpEhfWTPNN
Purdue guard Braden Smith goes down after this play with a right leg injury. Hope he is ok🙏🙏 https://t.co/KcWExairsK
Braden Smith leaves the game after injuring his knee… 😟 https://t.co/KcWExairsK
Hopefully this is not as bad as it looks for Braden Smith. https://t.co/KcWExairsK
Obviously TBD on how significant the injury is, but that did not look good and Braden Smith is vital and Purdue has had some brutally awful luck in March. https://t.co/1csj90BBaB
Happy to see Braden Smith back on his feet, I want to see a healthy Purdue in the tournament
Braden Smith is up and walking around after going down with a right knee injury https://t.co/Z3A8kRDOKJ
Oh no….oh no. Hope Braden Smith is okay. https://t.co/FqMr9g3QWV
Really unfortunate scene with Purdue teammates having to help star point guard Braden Smith off into the locker room after he was hurt driving to the basket. Seemed like non-contact injury. https://t.co/iYVPptzHoB
The Big Ten tournament didn't matter at all for Purdue. The only goal was to not have an injury, otherwise completely irrelevant. And now Braden Smith is hurt 🤦♂️
Purdue sophomore guard Braden Smith has been one of my favorite players ever, professionally or whatever, since I saw him in high school at Westfield. This is hard to watch. Holding his right knee.
Aww man, looks like a bad injury for Purdue's Braden Smith...
Braden Smith being down is the ultimate hate to see it moment, he’s the most important player on Purdue
Purdue guard Braden Smith goes down after this play with a right leg injury https://t.co/f2u1kAcI6n
Braden Smith takes a hard fall off the floor as he's bumped out of bounds on a travel call. Still doing being attended to by Purdue training staff. Now back up, being helped slowly off the floor to the locker room. Not ideal for Purdue. #iubb
Oh no, Braden Smith.
Oh no.. Braden Smith holding his right knee. @BoilerBall holding its breath
Braden Smith comes down strange on a drive and the Purdue guard is down off the court #B1GMBBT
Braden Smith impacts the game on both ends of the floor. 💯 #B1GMBBT x @BoilerBall 📺: @BigTenNetwork https://t.co/Hi4MZCSihs
Braden Smith still on Tyson Walker
Braden Smith picks up his second foul with 13:27 left first half. He sits. #iubb