Let's pray that his injury is not as serious as it looked after he hit his head.
T.J. Ford's teammates said the Toronto Raptors guard was moving before he was taken off the court on a stretcher following a scary fall late in Tuesday night's 100-88 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.
Ford, who missed the 2004-05 season with Milwaukee following neck surgery, stole the ball and was headed toward a breakaway basket when Atlanta rookie Al Horford hit his face with his hand. Ford landed hard on his back, his head bouncing off the floor.
"After a while I could see him moving and that was a relief," Toronto's Chris Bosh said, adding there was immediate concern about Ford because everyone knew his injury history.
"It turns my stomach because of who it is," Bosh said. "Like I say, we know about his situation and everything.
"He was conscious. He wasn't trying to move too much. I'm sure he was feeling pain in his arms and legs. I just hope he's OK."
Raptors spokesman Jim LaBumbard confirmed Ford "had feeling in his upper and lower extremities when he was taken off the floor."
Ford was taken to Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta. Raptors director of basketball operations Marc Eversley and assistant trainer Rory Mullin were with him at the hospital.
LaBumbard said it was expected Ford would remain at the hospital through the night.
