Hawks F Horford suspended one game

Dec 13, 2007 - 10:52 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- The NBA on Thursday suspended Atlanta Hawks rookie forward Al Horford one game without pay for his flagrant foul that hospitalized Toronto Raptors guard T.J. Ford.

NBA executive vice president of basketball operations Stu Jackson made the announcement, ruling that Horford will serve his suspension Friday against the Detroit Pistons.

The incident occurred with 1:32 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Hawks' 100-88 loss to the Raptors on Tuesday night at Philips Arena.

Ford was hit in the face by Horford while attempting a layup and when he fell to the ground, his head bounced off the floor.

After laying motionless on the floor, Ford was immobilized by team medical personnel and taken to Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta. Horford was ejected for the foul.

Ford, who has a history of neck and spinal injuries, was released from the hospital Wednesday and has re-joined the team.

Ford also suffered a contusion of the spinal cord - a possible career-threatening injury - which forced him to miss the final 26 games of his rookie season with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2003-04.

He missed the entire 2004-05 season while recovering from the injury.