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Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons left tonight’s game against the Utah Jazz in the first quarter with a concussion. Simons was undercut on a jump shot, falling on his back and slamming his head hard against the court.
Anfernee Simons leaves game after hitting head on court pic.twitter.com/paz1jNXeGd
— NBC Sports Northwest (@NBCSNorthwest) February 8, 2020
I've analyzed this frame by frame and I still can't get over why O'Neale's leg was sweeping like that. Seemed unnatural. https://t.co/dykDv7v7oi
— Peter Socotch (@PSocotchNBCS) February 8, 2020
The Blazers were already short-handed before the injury. A subsequent ejection of Trevor Ariza left them with only seven players capable of taking the court.
A concussed player cannot return to the floor until the following conditions have been met:
A player in the concussion protocol program can’t return to the floor until the following conditions have been met:
- He is without concussion-related symptoms at rest.
- He has been evaluated by a physician.
- He has successfully completed the NBA return-to-participation exertion protocol.
- A team physician has discussed the return-to-participation process and decision with the Director of the NBA concussion program