The Indiana Pacers are holding their breath as they await the fate of forward Isaiah Jackson, who was forced out of Monday's game against the Boston Celtics due to a concussion evaluation. The incident occurred in the first quarter, and Pacers coach Rick Carlisle is urging the NBA to take a closer look at the play that led to Jackson's injury.
According to Carlisle, Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta elbowed Jackson not once, but twice, in a span of seconds. The Pacers coach is adamant that the play was not accidental and poses a significant risk to player safety. Carlisle's concerns are not unfounded, as the NBA has been working tirelessly to reduce the number of concussions and other head injuries in the league.
The incident in question occurred with approximately 4:30 remaining in the first quarter. Jackson, who had been averaging 7.6 points and 6.1 rebounds in 18.8 minutes per game this season, was substituted out of the game after playing just two minutes. The decision to remove him from the game was made as a precautionary measure, as he was scheduled to undergo concussion protocols.
Carlisle was adamant that the play should have been reviewed in real-time, citing the potential dangers of such incidents. The Pacers coach emphasized that the league needs to take a closer look at the play, as it has significant implications for player safety.
The play that happened, it just can't be missed, Carlisle said, highlighting the importance of the NBA taking action to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Pacers' loss to the Celtics was undoubtedly a setback, but the team's primary concern is the health and well-being of Jackson. The road to recovery for Jackson is uncertain, and the team is awaiting further evaluation to determine the extent of his injury. Carlisle acknowledged that the situation is pretty serious, and the team is preparing for the possibility that Jackson may be sidelined for an extended period.
The incident involving Jackson and Queta has sparked a wider debate about player safety in the NBA. The league has implemented various measures to reduce the number of concussions and other head injuries, but more needs to be done to prevent such incidents. The NBA must take a closer look at the play and consider implementing additional measures to protect players from unnecessary contact.
Some potential measures that the NBA could consider include:
The NBA has a responsibility to protect its players and ensure their safety on the court. The incident involving Jackson and Queta serves as a reminder that more needs to be done to prevent unnecessary contact and reduce the number of concussions and other head injuries in the league. As the Pacers await the fate of Jackson, the NBA must take a closer look at the play and consider implementing additional measures to protect players from harm.
Original: ESPN
Image: ESPN
Written by Npsports
