Charlotte Hornets rookie Brandon Miller suffered a scary fall from a flagrant foul against the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night, leading to his exit from the game. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft was taken to the locker room after the incident, where he was placed in concussion protocol and later diagnosed with a lower back contusion.

The frightening moment occurred early in the second quarter when Miller, receiving an outlet pass from LaMelo Ball, drove towards the rim. Keldon Johnson’s challenge resulted in a collision that sent Miller crashing to the floor, causing concern for the rookie’s well-being.

Following a review, the officials upgraded the foul to a Flagrant 1, citing the unnecessary and potentially injurious contact made by Johnson. As a result of the concussion protocol, the Hornets were allowed to select any player on the court to take the free throws.

Prior to the unfortunate incident, Miller had been making an impact in his debut season, averaging 14.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. His performance had positioned him among the top-scoring rookies, with notable contributions in three-point shooting.

With Miller’s absence exacerbating the Hornets’ challenges, the team suffered a 135-99 defeat to the San Antonio Spurs, leaving them with a season record of 8-28, the third-worst in the Eastern Conference.

The setback comes as the Hornets had recently welcomed back LaMelo Ball to the lineup, making Miller’s potential absence a significant blow to the team’s prospects. The Hornets will be hoping for a swift recovery for their promising rookie as they navigate the remainder of the season.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.