Nerlens Noel Suffers Concussion, Injury May Be More Serious Than Initially Thought
Initial Reports Indicated Knee Injury, but Video Reveals Possible ACL Tear
Kentucky Projected First Pick Hospitalized After Fall
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (AP) — Oklahoma City Thunder center Nerlens Noel suffered a concussion from a fall he took in Friday night's game against the Miami Heat, the team announced Saturday.
Noel, who was taken to a local hospital after the game, was initially diagnosed with a knee injury. However, video of the incident appears to show that Noel may have suffered a more serious injury, possibly a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
The video shows Noel collapsing to the ground after attempting to block a shot by Heat forward LeBron James. Noel's leg appears to buckle at the knee, and he can be heard screaming in pain.
The Thunder said in a statement that Noel is scheduled to undergo further evaluation by a specialist in the coming days to determine the extent of his injury.
Noel, who was projected to be the first overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, has been a key contributor for the Thunder this season. He is averaging 10.9 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game.
If Noel does miss significant time with an ACL injury, it would be a major blow to the Thunder's playoff hopes.
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