Tim Hardaway Jr was wheelchaired out of the court after slamming his head on the hardwood in the Pistons’ NBA Cup opening game against the Miami Heat.
The Detroit star hustled on the defensive end in the third quarter when he received back-to-back hits from opposing players and called his shift early.
Hardaway first took an accidental elbow from Miami center Bam Adebayo. While Euro-stepping his way to the hoop, Adebayo clocked Hardaway on the jaw and sent him to the floor.
While the initial hit stung Hardaway, he stood up and continued playing defense. However, while trying to draw a charge, Hardaway collided with Miami’s Tyler Herro.
He fell to the ground once more, as Herro and Pistons big man Jalen Durren fell on top of him.
Pistons star Tim Hardaway Jr. was wheelchaired off the court after colliding with Tyler Herro
The collision appeared to cause Hardaway’s head to hit the hardwood, which he grabbed in pain.
He lay on the ground for an extended period as training staff tended to him. Hardaway appeared to be bleeding as his teammates stood around the paint.
Minutes later, Hardaway was taken out in a wheelchair with a towel over his head.
NBA insider Chris Haynes later reported that Hardaway underwent a CAT scan that 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 was holding leading, 64-59, and held on to win, 123-121, in overtime.
Tuesday’s victory moved the Pistons to 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 has been put as 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 was holding leading, 64-59, and held on to win, 123-121, in overtime.
Tuesday’s victory moved the Pistons to 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 has been put as a game-time decision as Detroit prepares to face the Bucks on Wednesday.
