Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James apologised to the wife of Australian golfer Jason Day after a court-side collision forced her out of the Quicken Loans Arena on a stretcher at the end of Thursday's win over Oklahoma City.
Ellie Day was sitting front-row with her U.S. PGA Championship-winning husband when James dived for a loose ball with three minutes remaining in the 104-100 win over the Thunder.
James saved the ball from going out-of-bounds, but crashed head-first into Day, who remained on the side-line for a few minutes while receiving medical attention.
She was fitted with a brace around her neck and head while being removed from the arena on a stretcher and was taken to hospital in an ambulance accompanied by her husband.
“Ellie Day I hope you’re doing okay! My apologies! Hope u guys come back to another game soon. Love LJ!” James tweeted.
James said he had been told her condition was sound.
“The guys told us she’s doing great now,” the 250-pound (113 kg) forward told reporters.
“I was going for a loose ball trying to keep the possession going and I hate that was the end result of it. Obviously her health is very important.”
The clash tempered a triumphant night for James, who scored 33 points, passed for 11 assists and grabbed nine rebounds as the Cavaliers ended the Thunder’s six-game winning streak.
Center Tristan Thompson had 12 points and 15 rebounds for the Cavs, including 11 offensive rebounds.
Thunder guard Russell Westbrook had 27 points and 10 assists, and forward Kevin Durant scored 25 points, but both missed potential game-tying three-pointers in the final 10 seconds.
Despite the collision with Ellie Day, James said he felt the courtside seats were “a great experience” for fans.
“I mean that doesn’t happen much. It’s unfortunate it happened tonight but that doesn’t happen much.
“Our fans are why our game is so great. Sitting courtside, it’s all part of the game. It’s pretty cool. If I was a fan, which I am a fan of the game but I would love to sit courtside and watch games.”
