On 27th January 2009, Andrew Bynum, the Lakers Center, made a blatant foul which resulted in a frightening injury to Gerald Wallace of Charlotte Bobcats. His rib had punctured his left lung. Wallace disclosed that when he fell on the court, he kind of sensed that something had gone wrong. He remembers that somebody approached him and requested him to get up. However, he couldn’t do so as his ribs were broken. 
Treatment in Los Angeles
The doctor told Wallace that as he was young and an athlete, when the rib got fractured and punctured his lung, it returned to its original place. This was the reason that it has healed quickly. Two days after he was admitted to hospital, when an X-ray was taken, it was not possible to indicate where the fracture had taken place. However, as his lung was partially collapsed, the doctors inserted a tube in his chest to restore the full capacity of the lung. Wallace was hospitalized for 2 nights and then discharged. Warneisha, his wife, flew to Los Angeles when he was released from hospital. When both of these walked across the street from the hotel, Wallace told his wife that he was feeling weary and this feeling wasn’t normal for him. So, in order to build up his lung’s capacity, he was told to perform routine walks every day.
Travel to Charlotte
On 2nd February 2009, he was informed that he could return to Charlotte. However, as there were concerns regarding the response of his lung to the low air pressure in planes, he was restricted from flying till 11th February. Due to this, his team organized a charter bus that would transport Wallace on a cross country trip of 2,400 miles. This journey began at 10:00 AM on Tuesday and ended 07:00 AM on Thursday. Wallace revealed that this was a great trip. His family was with him. The bus had drinks, snacks, a bathroom, a bed in the back and satellite TV. During the day, they viewed cartoons and at night, movies. Now, the doctors have intimated him that his lung is back to normal and has full capacity. They have allowed him to perform running and light shooting. However, he is prohibited from having any contact. Wallace feels that there is still some pain at the spot. Each time he takes a breath, he can realize that.
Bynum’s response
In the meantime, Bynum met with a knee injury and had to forgo court action for 8 to 12 weeks. He left a voice message for Wallace in which he apologized and wished him the best. Bynum also hinted Wallace that Wallace may reach out to him if there was anything that he could do for Wallace.
On Friday (6th February 2009), Wallace was a spectator of Charlotte’s game from behind the bench. He is eager to play again quickly and probably on 17th February in Orlando. Wallace remarked that in his absence the team lacks energy and this is very disappointing. However, at the same time, he feels proud to be the person in the team who infuses energy.