Basketball has seen its fair share of on-court health scares. From LeBron James suffering severe cramps in the 2014 NBA Finals to Paul George’s gruesome leg injury in a Team USA scrimmage, players have endured frightening moments.
But this time, the concern wasn’t for an athlete but for legendary comedian and die-hard Knicks fan Tracy Morgan, who had to be taken out of Madison Square Garden in a wheelchair during New York’s battle against the Miami Heat. The unexpected turn of events worried fans and players, with Knicks forward Josh Hart sending his prayers and well wishes to the beloved comedian.
Josh Hart Sends His Wishes to Tracy Morgan
The troubling scene unfolded midway through the third quarter when Morgan, seated in his usual courtside position, began showing signs of distress. Just moments later, the famous comedian, who has battled health issues since his near-fatal 2014 highway accident, threw up all the contents of his stomach and was eventually escorted from the arena in a wheelchair, causing a ripple of concern throughout the legendary venue.
Knicks forward Josh Hart, known for his gritty play and connection with fans, immediately took to social media after the game. “First and foremost, obviously, we hope everything is good with Tracy Morgan. Avid, lifetime Knick fan, so prayers go out to him and his health and safety,“ said Hart.
“We hope everything’s good with Tracy Morgan. Avid, lifetime Knick fan so prayers go out to him and his health and safety.”
– Josh Hart pic.twitter.com/2aKRxONUMp
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) March 18, 2025
Morgan’s dedication to the Knicks is legendary among NBA circles. Even with his extensive commitments, the actor has maintained his regular presence at Madison Square Garden during the last twenty years.
Despite this worrying incident, the matchup between Eastern Conference leadership played out as a high-intensity contest. The Knicks won the game against the Heat 116-95 in a 21-point victory while key player Jalen Brunson sat out due to an ankle injury. Hart scored 12 points alongside Mikal Bridges and Karl Anthony Towns, each putting up 28 and 23 points, respectively.
While fans celebrated the win, thoughts remained with Tracy Morgan. His presence at Knicks games has always been a source of joy and entertainment, and the basketball community is hoping for a swift recovery. However, there’s some good news for Knicks fans.
Tracy Morgan Opens Up After Knicks vs. Heat Incident
The former ’30 Rock’ star provided an update following the game. From his hospital bed, Morgan addressed the situation, attributing his sudden illness to food poisoning. He has even reassured his fans of his well-being.
“Thank you for all your concern! I’m doing ok now, and doctors say it was food poisoning. Appreciate my MSG family for taking such good care of me, and I need to shout out the crew that had to clean that up. Appreciate you! More importantly, the Knicks are now 1-0 when I throw up on the court, so maybe I’ll have to break it out again in the playoffs #goknicks,” wrote Morgan as the caption of an Instagram post.
Morgan has previously dealt with medical issues. In 2010, doctors performed a kidney transplant on him because his diabetes and his history of drinking alcohol had caused medical complications. A Walmart tractor-trailer crashed into Morgan’s limousine in 2014, resulting in traumatic brain injury as well as a broken femur and multiple fractures. The vehicle collision placed him in a coma for two weeks, followed by extensive rehabilitation.
Morgan has shown incredible resilience through his struggles because he renewed his comedic work and continued to bring a happy mindset into his life. His health trouble at the Knicks game demonstrates the strength in his spirit and his unbreakable sense of wit, which keeps fans worldwide rooting for him.