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NEW YORK -- Atlanta Hawks forward Al Horford was suspended for one game by the NBA on Thursday for a flagrant foul against Toronto's T.J. Ford.

Ford was injured when Horford struck him on the head and knocked him down as Ford was trying to score on a breakaway with 1:32 left in the game Tuesday night. Horford, ejected for a flagrant foul penalty two, said he was trying to block Ford's shot.

Ford was released from an Atlanta hospital Wednesday and flew home to Toronto. Ford spent the night in Piedmont Hospital for observation and tests.

Horford, for his part, was unable to shake the incident from his mind, and visited Ford for several hours at the hospital Tuesday night. But it was Ford who made Horford feel better.

"T.J. was real cool," Horford said Wednesday afternoon, according to the Atlanta-Journal Constitution, after the Hawks wrapped up a day of treatment and individual workouts at Philips Arena. "Thank God he's doing better and he went home and everything. We spent some good time together and we just talked about the game and a lot of other stuff. He told me that he understood I didn't do it intentionally or anything like that. It was a really good visit."

Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo said the Hawks contacted the Raptors to express remorse about the incident.

"I know that Horford feels awful about it," Colangelo said. "He spent a couple of hours at the hospital with (T.J.) last night and, true to T.J.'s form, he was probably doing more of the consoling. I think the kid (Horford) was pretty shaken up about it. He felt awful. I don't think there was any intention to do harm."

Ford said he appreciated Horford's visit and told the rookie he wouldn't hold a grudge.

"It wasn't a dirty play at all," Ford said. "I think I just kind of tricked him with the move and he got caught in a bad spot. He's a good kid. I told him I'm not holding anything against him."

On Wednesday, Ford said both arms are still sore and that he is unable to sleep comfortably.

When he does return, Ford said he won't be any more cautious about contact.

"I understand I'm always playing with a risk," Ford said. "I don't think the risk has changed. I don't think, after talking to the medical doctors and the way that my body feels, that I'm putting my career in jeopardy.

"If I felt that way, I don't think I would play because life is more important," Ford added. "I have a son that I definitely want to be able to play with. I don't think I could live with not being able to do a lot of things with him. If it gets to that point, I think I would definitely give it up."

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press