On January 6, 2022, the Colorado Avalanche showcased their dominance against the Winnipeg Jets, with Gabriel Landeskog delivering a hat trick in a 7-1 victory. This marked a peak time for the Avalanche as they moved into first place in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls, led by Lonzo Ball, secured their ninth consecutive win against the Washington Wizards, with Ball contributing significantly in scoring and defense.

However, this marked a turning point for both athletes. Just days later, Ball suffered a knee injury that sidelined him for over two years. Landeskog, after lifting the Stanley Cup five months later, began a long battle with knee issues. Both players underwent cartilage replacement surgeries, a rare procedure that both are attempting to recover from, with Ball already returning to play while Landeskog's future remains uncertain.