NBA: Jazz’s Taylor Hendricks stretchered off after breaking leg

Utah Jazz forward Taylor Hendricks (0) is carried off by paramedics after sustaining an injury in the second half during an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Albert Pena)

DALLAS — Utah forward Taylor Hendricks was wheeled off the floor on a stretcher with a right-leg injury after he landed awkwardly midway through the third quarter of the Jazz’s 110-102 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night in the NBA.

The team said Hendricks fractured his right fibula and dislocated his ankle.

“He’s a great kid, and so we’re really just trying to focus on him — his health, keeping his spirits up, as he begins the road of his recovery,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said. “But these are the moments in sports that suck.”

READ: NBA: Buddy Hield, Warriors coast past Jazz

Hendricks went down to the floor without any contact near the baseline beneath the Jazz’s basket, his foot landing in an awkward direction.

Hendricks, in his second season, had two points, three rebounds and two assists in 21 minutes making his third consecutive start after starting 23 games of his 40 appearances as a rookie.

“Super unfortunate,” said Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen, who struggled to find words. “We’re all here for him. It sucks that we lost, but he’s more important than that. We know how hard he worked the whole summer to be ready for this opportunity, so it sure feels tough for him. We’re going to stay here for him and support him.

“We talk about fighting through adversity, whatever it is. Tonight it happened to be that. Nobody can do it alone, so it’s staying together and trying to work through it and not giving up.”