Saki Hayashi Injured in FIBA World Cup Playoff

BERLIN — The noise inside the arena stopped in an instant.

Japan guard Saki Hayashi, one of the breakout shooters of this women’s FIBA World Cup, crashed to the floor late in the second quarter of Tuesday’s playoff against Hungary and left the court with what looked like a serious right arm injury.

She was fouled in midair by Agnes Torok but still managed to finish the play, scoring as she tumbled awkwardly to the court with just over a minute remaining in the half. The celebration died before it started.

Hayashi stayed down, motionless, clutching her arm. Teammates gathered, then backed away as medical staff rushed in. The arena, loud seconds earlier, dropped into a heavy, uneasy silence.

A blue tarp was quickly raised to shield her from view while she received treatment. When she finally rose and was helped from the floor, the tension broke. Fans from both countries stood and applauded, a shared acknowledgement of what she had already given this tournament — and of the fear that her World Cup might be over.

Hayashi had lit up Mali in Japan’s opening game on Friday, drilling nine 3-pointers and announcing herself as one of the most dangerous perimeter threats in the competition. Her shooting had become a central pillar of Japan’s hopes of making a deep run.

Now those hopes hang in the balance.

At halftime, Japan trailed Hungary 37–34 in a tight, nervy playoff to decide who earns a quarterfinal date with the United States on Thursday. The scoreboard said the game was still there to be won.

The sight of Hayashi leaving under a tarp said something very different.