The Golden State Warriors breezed past the Sacramento Kings Saturday night by a score of 112-96, but that victory has been overshadowed by an unfortunate accident that left Warriors guard Patrick McCaw lying flat on the court, eventually having to be carried off on a stretcher after landing hard on his back following a foul by the Kings’ Vince Carter.
According to ESPN, McCaw was transported to UC Davis Medical Center where he underwent a chest X-Ray and CT scan that both came back clear. He is expected to undergo an MRI as well.
“I just hope he’s OK,” the veteran Carter noted. “I play this game because I love it and enjoy it, not to see young guys get hurt. He has a bright future. You can tell me whatever, it was an accident […] I don’t like to see him sitting there in pain saying he can’t feel his lower half.”
It was with 41.8 second left in the game that McCaw drove to the baseline and went down with a hard thud after being hit in the lower body inadvertently by Carter. McCaw stayed on the ground for about 10 minutes before being carried off the court. Carter, who knelt nearby as medical personnel from both teams tended to McCaw, was given a Flagrant-1 foul.
"I know Vince's spirit and his heart. I don't believe it was intentional at all," Golden State’s Kevin Durant said. "It looked like he was just caught in the middle of the play and wanted to move out of the way, but Pat was coming so fast. It was just an unfortunate play. Nobody in our locker room thinks Vince did that on purpose."
Carter said he apologized to other members of the Warriors squad and the coaching staff after the game, distraught with the image of McCaw lying in pain on the floor.
“I remember his foot hitting the side of my leg, that’s it,” Carter said. “I’m not going to sit here and complain about a flagrant when a man can’t feel his legs […] It’s all well and good but still a young man is trying to get his feeling back and that’s my concern. Regardless of how it happened, accident, all of the things that they were telling me, you still want to see him OK.”
Warriors coach Steve Kerr did not want to talk about the game afterward only hoping for McCaw’s recovery and safety. "It was really scary," he said "He was in a lot of pain, laying on his back. ... It's scary stuff […] that’s all we're thinking about. We just hope he's OK."
McCaw was given a standing ovation as he was carried off the court. Soon after, both teams came together in a huddle to say a prayer for him.