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Portland Center Yang Hansen Takes Scary Hit to Back of Head in Game vs Warriors

Meghna Kyatham

Meghna Kyatham

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

3 min read

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Portland center Yang Hansen took an accidental knee to the back of the head in a scary moment against the Warriors. Here’s what happened and the latest update. Photo by: NBA Big Board

Yang Hansen Injury Scare Shakes Portland vs Warriors Game


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During the Portland Trail Blazers and Golden State Warriors game, there was a scary moment when center Yang Hansen fell after getting hit in the back of the head with a knee by accident.

The play caused immediate worry from players, officials, and fans because Hansen stayed down after the hit.

For all the young fans, it was a moment that stopped the game and reminded everyone that keeping the players safe is what matters the most.

What Happened on the Play?

During the game, while players were going after a loose ball near the basket, Hansen bent down and was accidentally hit in the head by an opposing player's knee.

It wasn't on purpose, but it looked and sounded bad.

Here's what it looked like:

Arena: Silent
Players: Signaling for help
Medical staff: On the court immediately

Officials halted play as trainers evaluated Hansen.

Immediate Response and On-Court Evaluation


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NBA medical protocol was followed promptly.

What happened next:

  • The trainers stabilized Hansen right away.

  • Officials made sure there was space around the player.

  • Then, Hansen was checked for any head and neck problems.


Detail

Status

Type of contact

Accidental

Area impacted

Back of head

Game stopped

Yes

Medical staff involved

Immediately

Return to game

Not immediate

The league’s concussion and head-injury protocols require caution in situations like this.

Was Yang Hansen Seriously Injured?


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Right now, it looks like Hansen's injury isn't serious or long-lasting. Still, he was taken out of the game to get checked out.

Teams usually take it slow when players get hit in the head, especially if they aren't sure about the symptoms.

What teams prioritize:

  • Think clearly.

  • Know where you are on the field and stay steady.

  • Your lasting health is more important than playing time.

If you can't go back in the game right away, it doesn't always mean it's serious, but be careful.

Why Head Injuries Are Treated Differently

Head injuries need close attention, unlike other injuries.

The NBA's concussion rules say:

  1. Take the player out of the game right away.

  2. Check the player's brain function.

  3. Keep watching for symptoms.

  4. Get cleared before playing again.

Recently, the whole league has been getting tougher on this.

Impact on the Game and Portland’s Rotation


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Hansen’s absence forced Portland to adjust their frontcourt rotation on the fly.

Short-term effects:

  • Using smaller groups of players.

  • Giving backup big men more playing time.

  • Changing up the defensive strategies.

For a moment, people stopped paying attention to the score and started looking at other things in the game.

Why This Moment Resonated With Fans

This event, especially for younger fans, showed how fast basketball can go from fun to worrying.

It made clear:

  • How physical things can get near the basket

  • Why it's vital to have medical staff ready

  • Why accidents can still be risky

At that moment, nothing was more important than making sure Hansen was okay.

Yang Hansen’s Role With Portland

Hansen is turning into a solid inside player for Portland, and he's good at:

  • Protecting the basket

  • Rebounding

  • Playing physically

When a young center gets hurt, especially with a head injury, teams are careful.

What Happens Next for Yang Hansen?


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Here's what usually happens next:

  • The person will keep getting checked by medical staff.

  • If symptoms don't go away, they might get an imaging scan.

  • If everything looks good, they'll slowly get back to their normal activities.

We'll let you know more after the team finishes their evaluations after the game.

Final Takeaway

Yang Hansen's collision was a stark reminder of the risks in a heated game.

Whether accidental or not, head injuries immediately shift the focus, and the NBA's quick reaction shows their commitment to player safety.

Portland's stance is clear: health comes before basketball.

Fans are simply hoping for Hansen's complete and safe recovery.

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