Danilo Gallinari reflects on career injuries and NBA 'what-ifs

Retired Italian basketball player Danilo Gallinari has reflected on his career, describing himself as perhaps the greatest ‘what-if’ in NBA history due to the frequent injuries that hampered his potential.

In an interview with HoopsHype, Gallinari discussed how various physical setbacks shaped his trajectory. His challenges began during his rookie season with the New York Knicks with back issues. Later, while playing for the Denver Nuggets, a torn ACL in 2013 sidelined him just before the playoffs, an injury he notes significantly impacted the team's postseason run.

Despite these setbacks, Gallinari maintained a long and productive career, averaging 15 points per game over 14 NBA seasons. He played for several notable franchises, including the Denver Nuggets, LA Clippers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Atlanta Hawks, before retiring in 2025.