Rick Carlisle urged the NBA to review what he called a dangerous first-quarter play, saying Isaiah Jackson was elbowed twice by Neemias Queta and forced out of the game with a concussion evaluation after the incident went unreviewed.
The Boston Celtics pulled away for a 103–95 win over the Indiana Pacers on Monday night, but the result was quickly overshadowed by a first-quarter incident that left Indiana frustrated and concerned.
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle revealed after the game that he has asked the NBA to review a play involving Celtics center Neemias Queta and Indiana forward Isaiah Jackson.
According to Carlisle, Jackson was struck by Queta twice with an elbow during the same sequence, an incident that ultimately forced Jackson out of the game for concussion evaluation.
Carlisle pointed to the moment with roughly four and a half minutes remaining in the opening quarter, saying the contact appeared far from incidental.
"There was a play where Isaiah Jackson gets elbowed by Queta and then simultaneously gets elbowed a second time," Carlisle explained. "Then, he has to go out of the game for concussion observation and then was unable to return.
"I hope the league looks at that," the coach added. "That was a play that I felt should have been looked at in real time. It did not appear to be accidental, and it's very dangerous."
Jackson, who has been a consistent rotation player for Indiana this season, averaging 7.6 points and 6.1 rebounds in just under 19 minutes per game, was limited to only two minutes on the floor Monday night and failed to score.
Carlisle also expressed concern about Jackson's availability moving forward.
"I don't know how long he's going to be out, but it's pretty serious," Carlisle said. "The play that happened, it just can't be missed."
Support BasketNews so we could make even better content.
If you like our content, please click here and add us as your preferred source. It helps us a lot, and we are committed to delivering you the very latest basketball news.