LeBron James hit his head against a camera in the second quarter of Game 4 of the NBA Finals, a collision that resulted in two deep cuts. Once the bleeding stopped he returned to action and played a total of 41 minutes in the game. That doesn't mean he felt no pain but he doesn't think his injury is serious and wasn't asked to go through the concussion protocol.
LeBron James had ‘slight headache’ after colliding with camera
James received stitches for a cut in his head but didn’t undergo the concussion protocol.
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
“No, I didn’t have to go through any concussion protocol,” James told the media after the game. “I had a slight headache, which I think every last one of you guys would probably have if you ran into a camera. You might have a little bit more than that. But I didn’t go through any protocol. I’m fine. Like I said, I got a few stitches and I got a little slight headache right now, but I’ll be fine with that.”
The NBA is trying to show they are serious about the issue of concussions. That's what makes the fact that James wasn't asked to go through the protocol right after his hit so strange. Early in the playoffs Stephen Curry had to pass the protocol before receiving clearance to return to a game against the Rockets, and in another game of the same series Klay Thompson was cleared and returned to action but developed symptoms later that very same night.
James mentioned that all he was thinking about after the hit was going back to take his free throws. NBA rules establish that if a player is injured and can’t take his free throws, he can’t return to action later on. James was solely focused on remaining eligible to return and was perhaps even willing to risk his health in the process.
It remains to be seen if the league orders James to pass the concussion protocol now. Headaches are a symptom of concussions and while LeBron doesn’t think his is anything to worry about, league doctors might disagree.
Hopefully James is right and the hit didn’t result in any damage other than the cuts, but with head injuries you can’t ever be too cautious.
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