Washington rookie Carlton Carrington was removed from the game on Monday night after sustaining a serious head injury in the Wizards’ matchup against the New York Knicks.
During the third quarter of the game at Capital One Arena, Carrington fell back on the court after colliding with Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas while guarding OG Anunoby in the lane. The impact caused the back of Carrington’s head to hit the floor forcefully.
Following the incident, Carrington immediately grabbed the back of his head and was assisted off the court while holding a towel over his head. He was later diagnosed with a post-traumatic headache and was unable to continue playing. It is expected that he will undergo the league’s concussion protocol as part of his recovery process.
At only 19 years old, Carrington had been performing well in the season, averaging 9.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game. Despite his injury, he has been a key player for the Wizards, leading all rookies in minutes played and assists.
Although the Wizards and the Knicks were evenly matched for the majority of the game, the Knicks managed to secure a 20-point victory in the fourth quarter, thanks to a stellar performance by Josh Hart, who achieved a triple-double with 23 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists. Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby also contributed significantly to the Knicks’ win.
On the Wizards’ side, Valanciunas, Alexandre Sarr, and Malcolm Brogdon put up a valiant effort, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Knicks’ lead. With the loss, the Wizards now hold the worst record in the Eastern Conference at 5-25.