CLEVELAND (AP) – LeBron James called it a “slight” headache, though nothing involving the game’s best player is ever minor.
So when James got a cut on his head after falling into a photographer’s camera during Game 4 of the NBA Finals, it led to questions about everything from how the NBA treats head injuries to whether someone taking pictures should be close enough to cause one.
The league tried to deal with both issues long before Thursday night.
Baseline photography positions were already reduced last summer, and a concussion protocol was previously in place. But according to the league’s policy, a cut on the head alone is not a trigger for it.
The protocol requires concussion evaluation when a player is suspected of having a concussion or exhibits signs or symptoms of one. Based on the player’s response, teams make the clinical judgment call whether to evaluate.