Report: Australia's Baynes hospitalized with neck injury

Australia center Aron Baynes was forced to miss Saturday's medal ceremony because he's been hospitalized with severe nerve damage in his neck, sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania.

Baynes could miss the upcoming NBA season due to an injury that's considered more serious than initially thought, Charania adds.

The 34-year-old is a free agent after the Toronto Raptors waived him on Aug. 4. Baynes inked a multi-year deal with the Raptors in November 2020, but he averaged just 6.1 points and 5.2 rebounds over 53 appearances.

Baynes originally suffered his neck injury during Australia's group-stage victory over Italy on July 28. He missed the Boomers' next four matchups, including the bronze-medal game win over Slovenia.

In Baynes' absence, Patty Mills dropped 42 points as Australia topped Luka Doncic and Co. 107-93 to claim the country's first men's basketball medal following four fourth-place Olympic finishes.