NBA Player Stretchered Off Court, Hospitalized After Scary Head Shot
Oklahoma City Thunder center Nerlens Noel took a horrible blow to the head in Tuesday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
It happened with 5:16 left in the third quarter as Noel was defending the Timberwolves’ Andrew Wiggins, who was driving to the hoop.
Wiggins caught Noel with an elbow to the face as he went for a dunk.
The worst part, however, came when Noel hit the floor. He landed sideways on his head.
Brutal fall for Nerlens Noel who was immediately met by the Thunder’s medical team and stretcher. pic.twitter.com/us59JxhTx5
— Up The Thunder (@UpTheThunder) January 9, 2019
Noel was writhing in pain on the court, unable to get up.
He had to be taken off the court on a stretcher.
Nerlens Noel was taken off on a stretcher after suffering a nasty fall. Prayers up. ??? pic.twitter.com/88vxdPz3AQ
— House of Highlights (@HoHighlights) January 9, 2019
Noel was taken to the University of Oklahoma Medical Center for evaluation.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported Wednesday that Noel suffered a concussion but did not suffer any fractures. An official update on his status was expected to come from the team later Wednesday.
After scary fall last night, Oklahoma City Thunder center Nerlens Noel has been diagnosed with a concussion — and tests showed he avoided any fractures, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @WatchStadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 9, 2019
“I just tried to make an aggressive move and dunk,” Wiggins said, reported NBA.com. “He tried to contest it. I think he fell wrong. I didn’t really see it until I saw him on the ground. Hopefully, he’s good. I hope nothing but the best for him. I hope he gets healthy soon and comes back stronger.”
Thunder center Steven Adams said it was an unfortunate play that shouldn’t be blamed on Wiggins.
“Obviously, Wiggins didn’t mean to do any of that. He shouldn’t be taking any blame for that whatsoever. It’s just one of those crazy plays that happen. Fortunately they responded quite quickly, the medical staff. We felt like he was in the best hands at the time,” Adams told News OK.
We obviously can’t know for sure, but the broadcast appeared to catch Terrance Ferguson and Russell Westbrook taking time to pray for Nerlens Noel while he was being attended to last night. pic.twitter.com/uMJh5Zulzx
— Dillon Young (@dillonyoung) January 9, 2019
“Just pray for him is all you can do,” Thunder guard Terrance Ferguson told News OK. “Just send prayers up and hopefully that he’s all fine. Hopefully we’ll hear some good news back later on.”
The Timberwolves beat OKC 119-117. Wiggins had 40 points and 10 rebounds.
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