Torn or partially torn patellar tendon: A much more severe injury.
SF Cedric Ceballos, 1996-97, age 27, Lakers/Suns
Partial tear of the right patellar tendon in November 1996, expected to be out 2 months. He got reactivated in January, but it continued to bother him throughout the season missing several more games with a strained patella in March after a trade to the Suns. He continued to have s ome problems with his right knee (meniscus) and especially his wrists over the following years. Some drop in production, though he did have another strong season with the Mavericks in 1999-00.
PF Antonio McDyess, 2001-2003, age 27-29, Nuggets: Several fractures and tears
Subluxated left patella in March 2001 (partial/incomplete dislocation). Missed remainder of the season.
Initially there was no surgery, then in October 2001 he required surgery to repair what was then diagnosed as a partially torn patellar tendon. In addition he needed arthroscopic surgery on the right knee to clean out some loose debris and was expected to be out 3-4 months. In March 2002 he briefly got activated, but was deactivated quickly again when both knees got inflamed.
Next season: Joining the Knicks that offseason, he was immediately placed on the injured list with a "left knee inflammation", and then in October required another surgery to repair a fracture to the left patella. In April 2003 he needed yet another surgery on the left knee patella missing the entire 2002-03 season.
When finally returning to action, he played in 42 games in 2003-04 season. Then continued to play several seasons completely or close to. His statistics dropped significantly across the board before going up slightly again but never back to previous state. However as of now he is still active as a rotation player.
SF Glen Rice, 2001-02, age 34, Rockets
Partial tear in December required surgery on right knee a month later, out for the remainder of the season.
Next season: Appeared in 62 games, but he continued to have some problems with the right knee (strain, hyperextension, bruise). His stats dropped slightly, and at age 36 he was reaching his career end the following season where he appeared in his last 18 games.
PG Damon Stoudemire, 2005-06, age 32, Grizzlies
Surgery on torn right patellar tendon in January 2006 after injuring it just before the end of the year, out for remainder of the season.
He already had suffered from what was deemed 'left knee tendinitis' a decade earlier when on the Raptors missing the end of the 1995-96 season without going into detail which tendon. While with the Blazers he missed much of November with 2001 right knee tendinitis.
Next season: Played in 62 games. Stats dropped to level from a few years earlier while about maintaining efficiency. Career end after 2007-08 season where he played in another 60 games.
C Alonzo Mourning, 2007, age 37, Heat
Surgery on right knee to repair torn patellar tendon after 25 games, out for remainder of the season.
Update: He had already sustained a partial tear in the left knee in 1997 pausing for ca. 3 months (initial diagnosis was 8 to 12 weeks), and missed a few games in December 2004 with 'right knee tendinitis'.
Next season: Ended career
SG Kelenna Azubuike, 2009, age 26, Warriors
Torn patellar tendon in left knee after having appeared in 9 games, out for the season. In the video of the injury it looked like someone had beaten him out of mid-air with a bat when he tried to go up on a drive to the basket.
