Tj Ford scored 26 points before he was sent crashing to the floor with an apparent injury on a flagrant foul late in the game, casting a pall over Toronto’s 100-88 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night.

Ford, who missed the 2004-05 season following neck surgery, was headed toward a breakaway basket when Atlanta rookie Al Horford hit the guard’s face with his hand. Ford landed hard, his head bouncing off the floor.

There was immediate concern because Ford missed the 2004-05 season following neck surgery.