Utah Jazz sophomore player Taylor Hendricks exited their 110-102 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Monday after a freak accident in the third quarter.
While running a fast break, the forward appeared to step wrong before collapsing on his right leg and failing to get up.
As Hendricks tried to stand, his lower right leg was seen gruesomely bent sideways, which was captured clearly on the broadcast. Players on the court immediately turned away in unison after noticing the break.
Medical staff tended to Hendricks before he was stretchered out of the court and play continued.
The Jazz later announced that Hendricks suffered a fractured right fibula and a dislocated ankle. After the game, the team added that updates on his status would be provided ‘when appropriate.’
WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT
Utah Jazz guard Taylor Hendricks suffered a gruesome leg injury against the Dallas Mavericks
‘It’s hard to stomach,’ Jazz coach Will Hardy said of the incident postgame. ‘He’s put in a lot of hard work. He’s a great kid. So we’re really just trying to focus on him, his health, keeping his spirits up as he begins the road of his recovery.’
‘But these are the moments in sports that suck,’ he added. ‘He deserves an opportunity and we’ll help him get back.’
While the injury would undoubtedly sideline Hendricks for a significant amount of time, Hardy remains optimistic that it would not eliminate his progress.
‘The injury is gonna put a pause button on his development for the moment,’ Hardy said. ‘It doesn’t take away anything he’s done to this point. He’s developed as a player. He’s developed as a young man. This is far from over for him.’
Hardy also added how he and other members of the Jazz organization that traveled to Dallas for the game went and gave their well wishes to the young player after the final whistle.
Hendricks fell hard on his right leg in the third quarter, causing it to bend outward as a result
‘I just saw him briefly. Gave him a hug, told him I love him [and] everything’s gonna be alright. We’ll do anything we can for him and his family but I haven’t had an opportunity to really sit down and have a conversation with him after the game.
Everybody in our team and our organization traveling with us went through that room to see him. But I’d say, right now, he’s probably just a little bit shocked by it all.’
Utah drafted Hendricks with the ninth pick in 2023 in the middle of their rebuilding phase. The 6-foot-9 guard’s defensive prowess earned him the assignment of guarding Luka Doncic before his unfortunate fall.
As a rookie, the UCF product averaged 7.3 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, earning his way to a starting spot this season. The Jazz are 0-3 as they gear up to face the Sacramento Kings on Oct. 29.
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