Reeling Jazz is trying to move forward after Hendricks’ horrific injury

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The Utah Jazz have emphasized that this season will focus on developing their young building blocks such as forward Taylor Hendricks, but now he is likely gone for the entire season.

Monday night, Hendricks ran across the field to the baseline, stumbled and fell awkwardly on top of his leg. With no one around, he broke his right fibula, dislocated his ankle and screamed in disbelief when he saw his foot going one way and his leg going another.

Several Jazz players had tears in their eyes and covered their heads with towels during a long break, during which medical staff transferred Hendricks to a stretcher. She lost to the Mavericks 110-102 and now face a rebuilding season without a defensive center.

“A number of us were visibly upset. It was really hard to watch,” Utah coach Will Hardy said Tuesday. “Everyone processes those things differently. Everyone has to pick each other up at different times.”

After the Jazz selected him at No. 9 in the 2023 draft, Hendricks spent about half of his rookie campaign in the G League before breaking into the rotation later in the season. In the first three games of this season, Hendricks was in the starting lineup and took on the task of guarding the other team’s most powerful threat, shadowing the likes of Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving and Ja Morant.

“There are some holes at Taylor that we have to try to fill now,” Hardy said.

The Jazz staff is still determining an optimal surgery date with further testing. Similar injuries have taken a year or more for full recovery.

“Taylor is a pretty happy and positive person. So he seems to be in a good mood. He’s taking it all with a lot of maturity…but I’m sure there will be moments of frustration,” Hardy said of the upcoming rehabilitation.

Hendricks’ first offseason was focused on making the leap in year two and he spent most of his summer in Salt Lake City building muscle, gaining agility and refining his shot.

“Your first season in the NBA, when you’re already in the rotation, gives you experience, but the biggest thing it gives you is the perspective that the world no longer revolves around you. You’re trying to solidify yourself as an NBA player and you’re probably taking on a different role than you’ve ever had on any team,” Hardy said.

Utah guard Keyonte George talked about how Hendricks willingly gave up offensive opportunities and used his energy on defense. There isn’t really such a player on the roster, but rookie Cody Williams, who stopped by Hendricks’ house on the way to the arena on Tuesday, stepped into the starting lineup against Sacramento.

“It’s so sad. I don’t think anyone really wants to get minutes like that,” said Kyle Filipowski, who scored his first NBA points and finished with 12 points and eight rebounds.

For the foreseeable future, Hendricks will be busy recovering as the Jazz try to find their way.

“Everyone has to pray for him and we have to be close to him,” center Walker Kessler said hesitantly after Monday’s game. He is a very good guy and he has put in a lot of effort. We all care about T a lot, but the season doesn’t end.”

Indeed, the season continued for the dejected Jazz without Hendricks on Tuesday with their fourth straight loss. this time to Sacramento 113-96 at home. To make matters worse, Utah star Lauri Markkanen left the game at halftime with back spasms, but it is not expected to be serious.

“We have to recalibrate,” Hardy said about connecting young players to new places they may not be prepared for.

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