CHICAGO — The Toronto Raptors say centre Jonas Valanciunas was taken to a hospital for precautionary reasons after suffering a neck injury in a collision with teammate Rudy Gay in the closing seconds of Tuesday night’s 101-98 victory over the Chicago Bulls.
Chicago’s Nate Robinson hit the first free throw to make it a three-point game with 10.6 seconds left and missed the second. That led to a jump ball, and a scramble for the loose ball ensued.
From the floor, the Bulls’ Carlos Boozer threw it to Robinson. The ball when through the guard’s hands and started to go into the back court. Robinson saved to avoid the violation, then missed a heave at the buzzer, but as the scramble unfolded, Valanciunas’ head hit Gay’s shoulder.
Valanciunas fell backward and immediately grabbed the back of his neck. He was tended to for several minutes on the sideline and had his neck placed in a brace before being taken away on a gurney.
