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Anfernee Simons Feeling “Alright” After Suffering Concussion

Simons says last night’s first quarter fall happened so quickly he didn’t have time to brace his head.

Portland Trail Blazers v Utah Jazz Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images

In the closing seconds of yesterday’s first quarter against the Utah Jazz, Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons fell, colliding with the hard Salt Lake City floor. After going up for a shot, Jazz forward Royce O’Neale moved into his landing area, causing Simons to “snap his head back”. The fall left Simons with a concussion that kept him out for the remainder of the controversy-filled loss.

NBC Sports Northwest’s Jamie Hudson wrote about Simons’ comments after the game. Surprisingly, he said he was feeling “alright. I’ve got a little headache right now, but I think I’ll be alright.”

Simons said the incident happened so quickly he was unable to protect his head on the way down.

“I was shooting… And, I just felt somebody’s legs come under me and I kind of fell back fast. I didn’t know. It just all happened quick. So, I snapped my head back, and I fell down pretty bad.”

“It happened so quick; I couldn’t prepare for it.”

Simons must now go through the NBA’s concussion protocol, which features strict rules about returning to the court, including a 24-hour evaluation period before the player can go through any testing to return to the court.

He has been listed as doubtful for Sunday’s clash with the also-understaffed Miami Heat at the Moda Center.