Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George brings the ball up through the second half of the staff’s NBA summer time league basketball recreation in opposition to the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday, July 6, 2023, in Salt Lake Metropolis. Rick Bowmer, Related Press
LAS VEGAS — The largest worry for NBA groups throughout Summer season League is the potential of a rookie struggling an damage. That worry was realized for the Utah Jazz on Wednesday when Keyonte George rolled his ankle simply earlier than halftime of the Jazz’s bout in opposition to the Denver Nuggets.
Now the Jazz wait with bated breath to know the severity of the damage, which is believed to be an ankle sprain. Including to the issue is the truth that George sprained the identical ankle in February whereas at Baylor.
A big Jazz contingent sitting courtside, together with common supervisor Justin Zanik, head coach Will Hardy and a variety of members of the entrance workplace and training employees, was principally jovial and all smiles early within the night. However their temper visibly shifted within the second half.
“That completely sucks,” Jazz Summer season League head coach Evan Bradds stated. “It’s a intestine punch for us, however the absolute greatest intestine punch for him, particularly with how properly he was taking part in. It’s horrible, it sucks. Everytime you see anyone go down it sucks regardless of the place you’re at, what you’re doing.”
The Jazz medical employees was evaluating George after the sport and can proceed to take action within the coming days.
George suffered the damage on a drive to the basket with lower than a minute left within the first half when he stepped on Julian Strawther’s foot. George instantly went to the ground, grabbing the ankle. He tried to rise up and stroll off the courtroom on his personal however wanted the help of teammates and trainers.
Oh no! This isn't what you wish to see at #NBASummerLeague proper now. #UtahJazz guard Keyonte George turns his ankle fairly arduous.#TakeNote l @KSLSportspic.twitter.com/NXWeNWTRLW
— Sam Farnsworth (@Samsworth_KSL) July 13, 2023
However, when the halftime buzzer sounded, George gingerly was capable of stroll on his personal to the locker room together with his teammates.
The Jazz have been significantly cautious with their rookies, holding No. 9 choose Taylor Hendricks (proper hamstring) and No. 28 choose Brice Sensabaugh (left knee surgical procedure restoration) out of Summer season League play.
Sensabaugh and Hendricks have each been growing their workload, taking part in on-court work with the staff whereas in Las Vegas, however neither has gone via a full observe and the Jazz don’t wish to rush something and would favor to not push the gamers right into a recreation and not using a full observe below their belts.
George’s damage comes after back-to-back spectacular outings in Las Vegas, combining for 59 factors within the Jazz’s first two video games on the NBA’s annual summer time showcase. After making his method to the bench on Wednesday following the damage, George stared on the flooring, shaking his head in disappointment.
This Summer season League has seen a variety of accidents to excessive, first-round picks. No. 3 general choose Scoot Henderson injured his shoulder within the Portland Path Blazers first recreation in Las Vegas and No. 4 general choose Amen Thompson suffered an ankle damage within the Houston Rockets debut.
George, the sixteenth choose within the June 22 NBA draft, has proven that he figures to be a big a part of the Jazz’s future and would doubtless be competing for a place to begin guard position with the Jazz when the 2023-24 season begins.
Regardless of considerations about his skill to successfully cross the ball and shoot with consistency, he’s proven throughout his play in each the Salt Lake Metropolis Summer season League and Las Vegas Summer season League that he has the uncooked expertise and instruments the Jazz are in search of.
The Jazz dominated out George for the remainder of Wednesday’s recreation and league sources indicated that George wouldn't play in any of the Jazz’s remaining Summer season League video games.