Cleveland forward LeBron James apologized to the wife of Australian golfer Jason Day after a court-side collision forced her out of the Quicken Loans Arena on a stretcher at the end of Thursday’s win over Oklahoma City.
Ellie Day was sitting a front-row deat with her USPGA Championship-winning husband when James dived for a loose ball with three minutes remaining in the 104-100 win over the Thunder.
James saved the ball from going out-of-bounds, but crashed head-first into Day, who remained on the sideline for a few minutes while receiving medical attention.
Photo: David Richard-USATODAY
She was fitted with a brace around her neck and head while being removed from the arena on a stretcher and was taken to hospital in an ambulance accompanied by her husband.
“Ellie Day I hope you’re doing okay! My apologies! Hope u guys come back to another game soon. Love LJ!” James tweeted.
James said he had been told her condition was sound.
“The guys told us she’s doing great now,” the 113kg forward told reporters. “I was going for a loose ball trying to keep the possession going and I hate that was the end result of it. Obviously her health is very important.”
Despite the collision with Ellie Day, James said he felt courtside seats are “a great experience” for fans.
“I mean that doesn’t happen much. It’s unfortunate it happened tonight, but that doesn’t happen much,” he said of the incident. “Our fans are why our game is so great. Sitting courtside, it’s all part of the game. It’s pretty cool. If I was a fan, which I am a fan of the game, but I would love to sit courtside and watch games.”
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
One of Malaysia’s top soccer clubs has pulled out of today’s season-opening Charity Shield after a spate of assaults, including an acid attack, on players in the country. It leaves the kickoff of Malaysia’s season this weekend under a cloud following the unprecedented acts of violence against players, which have left the country shocked and angry. Authorities said they have imposed tighter security, but Selangor said that they would not play in the showpiece curtain-raiser against Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) citing “a series of criminal incidents and recent threats.” Selangor and Malaysia winger Faisal Halim is in intensive care