Chandler Parsons revealed a long-standing NBA secret when he openly admitted that some players fake injuries when they are actually just hungover. Speaking on Run It Back, Parsons explained how nightlife in certain cities can be such a major distraction that it impacts players’ ability to perform on game day.
His comments confirmed what many have speculated for years—sometimes, when an NBA player is listed as “out” with back spasms or flu-like symptoms, it might just mean they had a long night out.
The conversation started when Lou Williams was asked which cities have the biggest nightlife distractions. Williams, who was famous for his late-night adventures, including his infamous trip to Magic City in Atlanta for chicken wings during the 2020 NBA bubble, had an interesting take.
“It used to be Miami, but Miami has a reputation of being so distracting that sometimes you might be able to negotiate with your coaching staff and be like, ‘Yo, listen, night before the game, y’all chill out, but we’ll stay after the game.”
“And then y’all can do your thing after the game.’ So it used to be a distraction. Now, we kind of found middle ground in Miami.”
“But some of the sleeper picks are going to be ATL, Houston is going to be another one, Los Angeles is going to be another. Any of the big cities, you’re going to have distractions everywhere you go.”
He noted that while Miami used to be the biggest party city, players and teams had learned to find a balance. Rather than letting nightlife get in the way of performance, players and coaching staff often worked out deals where players would stay disciplined before a game but could enjoy the city after playing.
Chandler Parsons then took it a step further by openly admitting that some NBA players fake injuries in cities like New York and Miami when they have had a rough night out.
“Yeah, to me, it’s Miami and New York City. If you ever see a guy with back spasms or flu-like symptoms, they’re hungover—more so than in Indiana or a town like that.”
“In New York and Miami, everything stays open so late. It’s just a grub. If you go to dinner at 11:30 p.m., like, those two to me are where I was slightly distracted.”
The idea that NBA players might not always be completely truthful about injuries is not exactly shocking, but hearing it confirmed by a former player adds another level of authenticity. It also explains why certain stars mysteriously miss games in high-profile cities but are suddenly available and fully healthy a day later.
This revelation also raises questions about how teams manage their players’ social habits and whether they knowingly allow certain behaviors as long as performance on the court doesn’t suffer.
While most elite athletes take their careers seriously, the NBA lifestyle is unique, with long road trips, high-profile social events, and the temptation of nightlife in cities like Miami, New York, Los Angeles, and Houston.
Ultimately, Parsons’ comments add an entertaining layer to the never-ending debates about load management, rest days, and “undisclosed injuries.” While it’s unlikely that teams will ever admit to excusing hangover-related absences, NBA fans might now be looking at some of those game-time decisions with a little more skepticism.
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