Tim Hardaway Jr. Leaves Pistons Game in Wheelchair After Suffering Scary Head Injury

A terrifying moment unfolded on Tuesday night in the NBA when Detroit Pistons wing Tim Hardaway Jr. hit the floor hard and had to be wheeled off the court. The incident happened in the third quarter of the Pistons’ matchup against the Miami Heat at Little Caesars Arena, as Hardaway Jr. tried to take a charge against Tyler Herro.

The 32-year-old stepped in front of Herro, who was driving to the basket with considerable force. The collision sent Hardaway Jr. to the ground, with his lower body hitting first. The impact caused a whiplash effect, slamming the back of his head into the floor violently. Hardaway Jr. immediately reached for his face in pain as trainers and teammates rushed to his side.

The scene was tense as he lay on the court for several moments before being placed in a wheelchair and escorted to the locker room. Despite the frightening fall, NBA insider Chris Haynes reported that Hardaway Jr. escaped without serious injuries. While he did require stitches, tests indicated that he is expected to recover fully.

Before this incident, Hardaway Jr. had been a consistent contributor for Detroit, averaging 12.5 points per game over the season’s first 12 matchups. In a show of resilience, the Pistons managed to secure a thrilling 123-121 overtime victory, a win dedicated to their injured teammate.