Kenneth Faried and the Denver Nuggets had quite a scare on Saturday night as the forward was carted off the court on a stretcher after suffering a neck injury during the team’s 111-108 overtime loss to the Golden State Warriors. He is recovering at a Bay Area hospital and initial reports from the team doctor look promising.
With just a few seconds left in overtime, Faried was elbowed in the neck while going for a rebound. He began clutching his neck moments later and was eventually moved to the floor, then to a stretcher before leaving the court postgame. Video, courtesy of watchnba201415 on YouTube, is below.
Following the game, numerous outlets reported that Faried was accompanied by general manager Tim Connelly to the hospital where he would stay overnight for observation, according to the team.
Kenneth Faried was taken to the hospital for precautionary reasons. #Nuggets
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) January 3, 2016
Faried reportedly suffered a lower cervical vertebra issue, but had feeling in his hands and feet and was showing no signs of neurological symptoms. He was headed back to Denver early on Sunday morning, according to Vic Lombardi of Altitude.
Just got word Kenneth Faried is on his way back from Bay Area. Tests on neck/head all checked out. Good news so far. #nuggets
— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) January 3, 2016
Prior to the injury Faried had recorded a career-high four assists (sixth time), adding 15 points and 12 rebounds.
Golden State was playing without Harrison Barnes and Festus Ezeli, both of whom were held out with injury, and Stephen Curry was limited to just 14 minutes and five points after reinjuring his left leg in the contest.
The loss was Denver’s fifth straight and extended Golden State’s home winning streak to 34 consecutive games.
In other news, Nuggets center Jusuf Nurkic made his first start of the season after recovering from offseason knee surgery. He scored three points and was 0-for-5 shooting from the field.
The team returned to Denver without Faried, in advance of a Sunday game against Portland.