Blazers’ Fernandez taken off court on stretcher
03/10/2009 | 12:45 PM
PORTLAND, Ore. — Trail Blazers forward Rudy Fernandez was taken from the court on a stretcher with his neck in a brace Monday night after he was fouled hard by Trevor Ariza in the fourth quarter of Portland’s game against Los Angeles Lakers.
Fernandez was driving to the basket when Ariza fouled him. Fernandez fell hard on his elbow and his hip, and remained prone under the basket for more than 10 minutes.
Fernandez was conscious and alert when he left the court, and he had full movement of his extremities, the team said. However, Fernandez was experiencing pain in his chest and was taken to the hospital for further evaluation.
There was no immediate word on the extent of Fernandez’s injuries.
The foul touched off a skirmish between the two teams, and the Blazers were assessed two technical fouls. The Blazers held an 83-55 lead with 2.2 seconds left in the third quarter when the foul occurred.
Fernandez had just hit a 3-pointer that put the Blazers up 81-51. He left with 11 points.
Fernandez, who played on the Spanish national team that won the silver medal in the Beijing Olympics, is averaging 10.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 25.8 minutes.
While Fernandez lay on the court, fans chanted: “Rudy! Rudy!"
Fernandez was part of the dunk contest at the All-Star break after he was voted in by fans. – AP
Fernandez was driving to the basket when Ariza fouled him. Fernandez fell hard on his elbow and his hip, and remained prone under the basket for more than 10 minutes.
Fernandez was conscious and alert when he left the court, and he had full movement of his extremities, the team said. However, Fernandez was experiencing pain in his chest and was taken to the hospital for further evaluation.
There was no immediate word on the extent of Fernandez’s injuries.
The foul touched off a skirmish between the two teams, and the Blazers were assessed two technical fouls. The Blazers held an 83-55 lead with 2.2 seconds left in the third quarter when the foul occurred.
Fernandez had just hit a 3-pointer that put the Blazers up 81-51. He left with 11 points.
Fernandez, who played on the Spanish national team that won the silver medal in the Beijing Olympics, is averaging 10.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 25.8 minutes.
While Fernandez lay on the court, fans chanted: “Rudy! Rudy!"
Fernandez was part of the dunk contest at the All-Star break after he was voted in by fans. – AP
