Brooklyn Nets forward Mirza Teletovic could have died had he gotten on an airplane, the New York Daily News reports — but he didn't thanks to the savvy advice of the team trainer and team physician.
Before tipoff against the Jazz on Saturday night, Mr. Teletovic complained of shortness of breath. Tim Walsh, the Nets' trainer, demanded the player get a CT scan, an order that was backed up by Nets physician Michael Farber, MD.
At a Los Angeles hospital that night, the CT scan found several blood clots in both of Mr. Teletovic's lungs.
"He could have gotten on the plane and he could have actually died," team coach Lionel Hollins said. "The good thing is Tim went with him, Tim made him do a CT scan and they found out about it."
While it's likely that the 29-year-old won't return to the court this year, the team has yet to release anymore information on Mr. Teletovic's condition or his plans for the future.
For more spine and orthopedic news:
Dymicron's cervical TDR device receives CE Mark approval
Medtronic-Covidien deal could be done today — 5 things to know
10 key updates on Titan Spine — 27k implantations and growing