Patrick McCaw left Saturday night's game between the Warriors and Kings on a stretcher after a frightening fall under the basket, but he escaped with only a "lumbar spine contusion" after MRI and CT scans showed no structural damage. It was good news for McCaw considering he experienced numbness in his legs after hitting the ground.
On Monday afternoon, McCaw offered his first public comments since suffering the spinal injury, tweeting he was "blessed beyond measure." He also sent positive thoughts to Vince Carter, who was visibly upset after he undercut McCaw and sent the Warriors guard tumbling to the floor.
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Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers! God definitely is watching over me, I'm blessed beyond measure! @mrvincecarter15 I know you didn't mean to harm me in any way! To my coaches, teammates, friends and family I love you guys so much for being there with me!!!
— Patrick McCaw (@PMcCaw0) April 2, 2018
James 1:2-4 - "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything!" FAITH 🙏🏽
— Patrick McCaw (@PMcCaw0) April 2, 2018
McCaw cut to the basket near the end of the third quarter of Saturday's game, caught a pass from Jordan Bell and jumped toward the rim before Carter attempted to break up the scoring opportunity. Carter appeared to get caught in between contesting the shot attempt and removing himself from the play completely, and McCaw flew out of control over Carter's shoulder.
Patrick McCaw hurt after taking a hard fall under the hoop pic.twitter.com/0mYUeSpjKQ
— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) April 1, 2018
After the game, Carter told reporters it was an "unfortunate situation" and he doesn't "play the game that way." Multiple Warriors players made it clear no one in the locker room believed Carter had tried to hurt McCaw.
A visibly distraught Vince Carter on Patrick McCaw: “I just hope he’s okay” pic.twitter.com/WmJ09Wt5ny
— Logan Murdock (@loganmmurdock) April 1, 2018
This was the best-case scenario for McCaw. It doesn't seem as though he sustained any serious damage to his spine based on the team's most recent updates, and he should be able to return to the team relatively soon.
Give McCaw credit for shutting down any possible issues between the Warriors and Kings. Carter made a dangerous play, but he is not a dirty player. Hopefully this can serve as a learning experience for all NBA players and make them more aware of body positioning near the basket.
It's unclear if McCaw will be cleared to play ahead of the postseason, as the Warriors have not announced a timetable for his return.
