Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas sustained a neck injury in the final seconds of the Raptors’ win on Tuesday night in Chicago.
Valanciunas was taken to Rush Presbyterian Hospital with his neck in a protective collar for testing after the game. The team said test results were negative and described the injury as a flexion extension of his neck. He will return home to Toronto for further evaluation on Thursday.
The scary injury occurred on a jump ball with 9.1 seconds left in the game. As Valanciunas pursued the loose ball, his head hit teammate Rudy Gay’s shoulder. Team doctors treated Valanciunas on the bench and were concerned about a whiplash-type injury.
Valanciunas was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for March after posting a double-double in 12 straight games. In 60 games this season, the Lithuanian is averaging 8.7 points and 6.0 rebounds.