Ford Crashes in Raptors Victory

PG carried out on stretcher after flagrant foul by Atlanta rookie Horford

By Jesse Andrews, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 11, 2007 11:33 PM CST

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Ford Crashes in Raptors Victory — Toronto Raptors' T.J. Ford, left, drives on Atlanta Hawks' Acie Law during the third quarter of a basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007, in Atlanta. Ford was injured and taken to an area hospital later in the game after hitting his head on the floor. Toronto won 100-88. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) (Associated Press)

Toronto's 100-88 victory over Atlanta was made bittersweet when a second-half injury knocked fragile point guard T.J. Ford out of the game. Hawks rookie Al Horford gave Ford an errant hand to the head on a fast break, sending him crashing to the ground; Ford was conscious but motionless as medics ferried him away on a stretcher.

Other Raptors also suffered in the win; Jason Kapono sprained a wrist and Jose Calderon had to have his left ring finger snapped into place. But Ford's injury was made especially troubling by his history of spinal damage, which led to the surgical fusing of two vertebrae. Said teammate Chris Bosh: "It turns my stomach because of who it is ... we know about his situation and everything, so it's frightening." (More NBA stories.)

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