Thursday 10 January 2019 07:06, UK
Oklahoma City Thunder center Nerlens Noel sustained a concussion but appears to have escaped additional injuries after his head violently hit the court on Tuesday night after he fell defending a third-quarter play by Minnesota's Andrew Wiggins.
Noel took an inadvertent elbow to the head from Wiggins before crashing to the court and losing consciousness. He was taken off the court on a stretcher and was held overnight at OU Hospital for tests and observations.
Noel was released from the hospital Wednesday and has been placed in the NBA's concussion protocol, the team announced in a press release.
Wiggins expressed his concern after the game, which the Timberwolves won 119-117.
"I just tried to make an aggressive move and dunk," Wiggins said. "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."
Noel, 24, is in his first season in Oklahoma City after four seasons with Philadelphia and Dallas. He has appeared in 39 games for the Thunder, averaging 5.1 points and 4.6 rebounds. He has posted 20 straight games with a blocked shot.
