In a recent NBA Cup meeting between the Detroit Pistons and the Miami Heat, forward Tim Hardaway Jr. abruptly exited the game after sustaining a concerning injury. The incident occurred during the third quarter when Hardaway took a blow to the head from Miami's Bam Adebayo while defending a play. Moments later, as he attempted to protect the basket during a layup by Tyler Herro, Hardaway again absorbed a significant hit to the head, which ultimately forced him to leave the game in a wheelchair.

Following the game, NBA insider Chris Haynes reported that Hardaway's CAT scan returned negative results. However, he will require stitches for injuries sustained where he took an elbow to the face and where the back of his head made contact with the court. At this point, a timeline for his return to action remains uncertain. Prior to his departure, Hardaway contributed 11 points in 19 minutes of play and has been performing well this season, averaging 12.6 points, 2.1 assists, and 1.7 rebounds, while showcasing an impressive shooting percentage of 47% from beyond the arc.

Having joined the Pistons this offseason via a trade with the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for shooting guard Quentin Grimes, Hardaway had played a pivotal role in the Mavericks' run to the NBA Finals the previous year, averaging 14.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists over the course of the season. As for the Pistons, the team has a 4-7 record thus far, a marked improvement from the previous season when they did not achieve their fourth win until January. Following their contest against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, the Pistons will face the Toronto Raptors in another NBA Cup matchup.