Q: In a NBA Finals game between Golden State and Cleveland, LeBron James fell onto a camera and received a gash to his head that required stitches. With all the talk about concussions, why wasn’t James checked? How is this call made? Does the team trainer or the referees make this call?
—Mary Walsh, Brookhaven
A: A Cleveland official said James didn't go through the NBA's concussion protocol because there wasn't a change in his mental status after his collision with a TV camera in Game 4 of the NBA Finals last week, ESPN.com reported.
James was cut behind his right ear, which initially was closed by glue to stop the bleeding so he could continue to play in the game.
He received stitches afterward, but didn’t say how many.
“No, I didn’t have to go through any concussion protocol,” James said. “I had a slight headache, which I think every last one of you guys would probably have if you ran into a camera.”
James didn’t miss playing time the remainder of the series, which Golden State won 4-2.
The league’s concussion policy states:
“If a player is suspected of having a concussion, or exhibits the signs or symptoms of concussion, they will be removed from participation and undergo evaluation by the medical staff in a quiet, distraction-free environment conducive to conducting a neurological evaluation.
“If a player is diagnosed with concussion, he will not return to participation on that same day.”
James excelled in the NBA Finals, averaging 35.8 points, 13.3 rebounds and 8.8 assists while averaging 45.8 minutes a game.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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