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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Sport
Justin Carissimo

LeBron James crashes into Ellie Day during Cavaliers game

Cleveland Cavaliers guard LeBron James injured Ellie Day while chasing after a loose ball on Thursday night.

Ellie, 29, the wife of or golfer Jason Day, was carted off the court on a stretcher during the of the Cavs' 104-100 win against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Jason, 28, the number 2 golfer in the world, accompanied his wife to a local hospital after the incident. 

"It wasn't anything out of the usual besides the injury. But to me, obviously her health is very important, and hopefully she's doing well," James told reporters.

"The guys told us she's doing great now. So, but you know, I was going for a loose ball. Just trying to keep the possession going, and I hate that that was the end result of it."

The 6-foot-8, 250 pound James immediately expressed remorse for the accident on Thursday night by tweeting: "Ellie Day I hope you're doing okay! My apologies! Hope u guys come back to another game soon. Love LJ!"


On Friday morning, Ellie was released from the hospital after suffering from concussion symptoms. Jason's agent told ESPN that she expressed no ill feelings toward James by quoting her as saying: "He was just doing his job. Go Cavs."

Cavaliers coach David Blatt told reporters that he was concerned about the proximity of courtside seats that put some fans at risk for injury.

“Honestly, the only thing I saw was LeBron diving for the ball to save the ball,” Blatt said shortly after the game. “I kind of got blocked and just saw a sea of bodies. We all hope that she’s OK.

“It’s always concerned me, the sideline seats. Always concerned me, because things like that, when you’re talking about players of this speed and physicality and effort level, it’s not a simple thing.

“The powers that be are the ones that really need to decide how to deal with that. He made an honest attempt at the basketball, that’s all, obviously. We all hope she’s OK.”

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