Preliminary report on Ryan Anderson is that he suffered a cervical stinger. Here's some information:
Cervical Sports Injuries: The Stinger
Written by
Brian R. Subach, MD and Mary Claire Walsh; Reviewed by
Todd Albert, MD
Peer Reviewed
In the world of contact sports, such as football, hockey, or basketball, a common injury is the stinger. A stinger, sometimes called a burner, is an injury that occurs when the head or neck (cervical spine) is hit to one side, causing the shoulder to be pulled in the opposite direction. While stingers occur most often at the high school level, they can occur at all levels of play.
How does a stinger happen?
A stinger is caused by a stretching of the brachial plexus nerves. These are peripheral nerves that exit the spinal cord and run across the shoulders, under the collarbone, and into the arms. The brachial plexus nerves are responsible for giving the arms their strength and sensation. As a result of a forcible sideways blow to the head or a blow to the shoulder itself, these nerves may become compressed, stretched, and irritated.
What are the symptoms of a stinger?
A side collision of this type causes immediate and intense pain, as well as a tingling or burning sensation in the neck that runs down the arm to the fingers. Weakness in the affected arm or hand is also common. The weakness, numbness, or tingling sensations may last as briefly as a few minutes or as long as a few weeks.
How is a stinger treated?
Most stinger injuries resolve on their own with rest. Athletes are usually removed from the sport until symptoms are gone. Ice packs on the neck or shoulders, anti-inflammatory medications, massage, and neck strengthening exercises are often part of the treatment plan. Players can usually return to their sport once the pain is gone and they have regained full range of motion, strength, and normal sensation in the neck and arms. Persistent or recurrent symptoms may indicate a more serious injury. Neck x-rays, a CT scan, or MRI may be necessary to rule out other serious conditions with similar symptoms.
http://www.spineuniverse.com/conditions/spinal-disorders/cervical-sports-injuries-stinger