CLEVELAND • Cavaliers forward LeBron James has apologised to the wife of golfer Jason Day after a courtside collision saw her exit the Quicken Loans Arena on a stretcher at the end of Thursday's National Basketball Association win over Oklahoma City.
Ellie was sitting in the front row with her PGA Championship-winning husband - the pair have a home in Columbus, Ohio - when James dived for a loose ball with three minutes remaining in the 104-100 win over the Thunder.
The Cavaliers superstar saved the ball from going out of bounds. However, he crashed head-first into Ellie. The impact sent both of them sprawling backwards to the floor.
She remained on the sidelines for a few minutes while getting medical attention as the game was held up. 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 Australian husband.
She was hospitalised overnight for observation and subsequently discharged from hospital yesterday morning.
"Ellie Day I hope you're doing okay! My apologies! Hope u guys come back to another game soon. Love LJ!" James tweeted.
The 113kg forward later told the reporters: "The guys told us she's doing great now.
"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."
Ellie was reported to be alert and talking as her husband accompanied her to an ambulance. She gave birth to the couple's second child, a daughter, last month.
Cavaliers coach David Blatt said afterwards he had long been concerned about the danger of big-sized players like James colliding with courtside spectators.
But, despite the collision with Ellie, James said he felt the courtside seats were "a great experience" for the fans.
"I mean, that doesn't happen much. It's unfortunate it happened tonight but that doesn't happen much," he said.
"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."
REUTERS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
