Tim Hardaway Jr. was carted off the court in a wheelchair after hitting his head on the hardwood during the Pistons’ NBA Cup opener against the Miami Heat.
The Detroit star was rushing to the defensive end in the third quarter when he took consecutive hits from opponents and left his shift early.
Hardaway first accidentally took an elbow from Miami center Bam Adebayo. As Euro made his way to the hoop, Adebayo tapped Hardaway on the jaw and sent him to the ground.
While the first goal stung Hardaway, he stood up and continued to defend. However, while attempting to make a charge, Hardaway collided with Miami’s Tyler Herro.
He fell to the ground again, with Herro and Pistons big man Jalen Durren falling on top of him.
Pistons star Tim Hardaway Jr. was taken off the field in a wheelchair after a collision with Tyler Herro
The impact appeared to cause Hardaway’s head to hit the hardwood, which he grabbed in pain.
He lay on the ground for a long time while the training staff tended to him. Hardaway appeared to be bleeding as his teammates stood around the paint.
Minutes later, Hardaway was brought out in a wheelchair with a towel over his head.
NBA insider Chris Haynes later reported that Hardaway had undergone a CAT scan which came back negative. However, he received stitches for the cut on his head.
Before his unfortunate fall, Hardaway had 11 points and shot 3-for-6 from the field. Detroit had the lead, 64-59, and managed to win in overtime, 123-121.
Tuesday’s win moved the Pistons into seventh place in the Eastern Conference with a 5-7 record.
The Michigan product is averaging 12.6 points, 1.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. Hardaway’s status is a game-time decision as Detroit prepares to face the Bucks on Wednesday.
Hardaway had 11 points and shot 3-for-6 from the field before exiting in the third quarter
Before his unfortunate fall, Hardaway had 11 points and shot 3-for-6 from the field. Detroit had the lead, 64-59, and managed to win in overtime, 123-121.
Tuesday’s win moved the Pistons into seventh place in the Eastern Conference with a 5-7 record.
The Michigan product is averaging 12.6 points, 1.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. Hardaway’s status is a game-time decision as Detroit prepares to face the Bucks on Wednesday.