Nassir Little blames JaVale McGee

When we rewatch the action, which occurred at the end of the first quarter of the match between Phoenix and Sacramento last week, we do not really understand the extent of the shock. In the fight for the rebound, JaVale McGee does a little cleaning to try to take the best possible position, hangs on a little with Nassir Little until both finally fell. If JaVale McGee quickly got up, the Suns winger took more time, and for good reason, he was then taken out at the end of the first quarter and then placed in concussion protocol.

Even if he quickly returned to the rotation, rejoining Frank Vogel's group on Friday against Brooklyn (10 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists), Nassir Little must now wear a protective mask, and he still blames JaVale McGee.

“I feel like it was a dirty deed. I watched it again and again. He grabbed my arm, maybe he was trying to get a foul, but he held my arm. He could have broken it for me. I have rewatched the action several times. So he held me, then he fell. So I received his weight, combined with mine, when I hit the ground,” did he declarespecifying that Chimezie Metu also hit him in his fall, unintentionally. “As I fell, I hit Chimezie Metu's hip and thigh. At first you could see me on the ground holding my face. I hadn't yet realized how serious it was at the time. I tried to get up and run a little. I was a little dizzy, like groggy, a little disoriented.”

Embarrassed by his mask

Placed in the very strict “concussion protocol” of the NBA, Little was able to return to the field, but he still has trouble feeling his cheeks and lips, just that!

“My eyes hurt a little. It's just a bit weird, a weird feeling. It's like tingling. I guess you could describe it like that.”

Examinations carried out by the Suns medical staff estimated that Nassir Little was well fit to play five days later against Brooklyn, provided he wore a protective mask. An essential adjustment of which the player is not really a fan, even if it has to be done with it, and the situation should not change for several weeks. The problem lies in the view.

“You’re going to have to get used to seeing me with this thing”he continued. “It’s going to be a part of me for a while.” I have to learn to deal with it. It's weird. I've only played one match with it so far. I'm still adjusting, but it feels weird. It's not easy, but that's how it is. I need to train myself to look ahead. I can't really look down. As a player, when you dribble, you can't not look at the ball, but you can see it. If someone passes me at chest level, I can’t really see the ball.”

“I can't feel my face anymore, what's happening? »

Nassir Little, however, ended his speech on a positive note: he does not need to pass on the billiards table.

“It just needs to heal.” It's not like anything drastic is going to happen. The staff gave me medicine for that. They just told me that it took time because it's related to nerves. When you take a hit, the nerve endings are affected, and the body reacts by trying to protect itself. It just shocks you and your face goes numb. I didn't know it was like that. I was worried, like, “I can’t feel my face anymore, what’s happening?” “, he pointed out.

His outing against the Nets finally relieved him, to the extent that he held on and was able to contribute even if there was no victory in the end. “I felt good. I had a few days to rest. My body felt in great shape. I have to try to bring it every night.”

Last night, he played 26 minutes against the Knicks, but could not prevent Jalen Brunson from having his best career game!

How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.