Tyson Chandler decks LeBron James with screen, gets flagrant foul video

New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler decked Miami Heat All-Star forward LeBron James with a screen in the backcourt during Game 1 of an Eastern Conference first round playoff series on Saturday.

The play occured with 1:34 remaining in the second quarter and the Heat leading 45-31. Chandler was originally whistled for a Flagrant Foul Two on the play, which would have meant an automatic ejection, but referees reviewed the call and downgraded it to a Flagrant Foul One.

After absorbing the blow from behind, James collapsed to the floor and held his neck. He walked to the baseline in pain before shaking it off, scoring nine straight points for the Heat to close out the first half.

James addressed the foul during a halftime interview.

"Just trying to get my composure back," he said. "Tyson got me pretty good, got a little whiplash in my neck, but I'm okay. It's playoff basketball. We want to continue to play with the same intensity we did in the second half."

The Heat held a 54-31 lead at the break. James led all scorers with 23 points.