Louisville's Kevin Ware suffers gruesome leg injury, players emotional

Louisville Cardinals players Chane Behanan (bottom) , Peyton Siva (right) and Russ Smith react after an injury suffered by teammate Kevin Ware (not pictured) in the first half during the finals of the Midwest regional of the 2013 NCAA tournament against the Duke Blue Devils at Lucas Oil Stadium. (Photo: Brian Spurlock, USA TODAY Sports)

Story Highlights
  • Everyone in Lucas Oil Stadium stopped with 6:33 left in the first half
  • Louisville guard Kevin Ware suffered a gruesome leg injury
  • Immediately, medical personnel came out with a stretcher while Louisville players appeared traumatized

    INDIANAPOLIS — After an intense, fast-paced start to the Midwest Regional final, everyone in Lucas Oil Stadium stopped with 6:33 left in the first half when Louisville guard Kevin Ware suffered a gruesome low right leg injury near the Cardinals' bench.

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    With Louisville leading 21-17, Ware ran out to contest a three-point attempt by Tyler Thornton. Moments after Thornton made the shot, however, there was pandemonium on the court when Ware planted his leg, turned and suffered what looked like a broken bone.

    Immediately, medical personnel came out with a stretcher while Louisville players appeared traumatized. In a terrifying scene, Cardinals guard Russ Smith started crying uncontrollably after seeing Ware while freshman forward Montrezl Harrell was doubled over on the floor, shaking.

    Kevin Ware of the Louisville Cardinals talks with teammate Luke Hancock after he injured his leg at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday in Indianapolis. (Photo: Streeter Lecka, Getty Images)

    Players on Duke's bench also appeared to be shocked about what had just happened.

    The game stopped for seven minutes, and Louisville's players gathered around Ware before he was taken out of the arena on a stretcher.

    Ware was taken promptly to IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.

    Louisville Cardinalsforward Luke Hancock (top) gives encouragement to guard Kevin Ware (bottom) after Ware suffered an injury and is taken off the court on a stretcher in the first half during the finals of the Midwest regional of the 2013 NCAA tournament against the Duke Blue Devils at Lucas Oil Stadium. (Photo: Brian Spurlock, USA TODAY Sports)