Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
- Taylor Hendricks suffered a severe injury, fracturing his right fibula and dislocating his ankle.
- The injury ends Hendricks' season after showing significant improvement over the summer.
- The Jazz team expresses emotional support, emphasizing Hendricks' hard work and development.
SALT LAKE CITY — Walker Kessler looked down in disbelief, and his right hand quickly moved to his face as he saw Taylor Hendricks on the ground. Will Hardy stepped out onto the court and grimaced at the scene.
Hendricks' foot was bent in the wrong direction.
"I didn't see exactly how he fell, I just saw him on the ground and, obviously, it was pretty apparent he was injured," Kessler said. "Just prayers out to him. Everyone needs to pray for him right now."
Hendricks suffered a devastating injury during Monday's loss — a fractured right fibula and dislocated ankle — ending his second season after less than three games.
It was an emotional blow to the team.
"He's put in a lot of work, and he deserves an opportunity," Hardy said, growing a bit emotional. "And we'll help him get back."
After spending much of his rookie season in the G League, the No. 9 pick in the 2023 draft had significantly improved over the summer. He added 17 pounds of muscle and spent most of the summer with the Jazz development staff.
He went from a player who often had to be told where to be on the court to one who was starting to understand how to use his God-given athletic abilities.
"Your heart breaks for Taylor because of the kid that he is and all the work that he's put in and how he's approached this early part of his career," Hardy said.
"It doesn't take away anything that he's done to this point," he added. "Taylor has openly gained a lot of weight and strength. It showed up in the preseason and in the early part of this season with his ability to defend and rebound and make plays at the basket. It's showed itself when he drives the ball offensively. He doesn't get bumped off his spot. His understanding of how to play, as more of a perimeter player and within our system has grown. He's developed as a player. He's developed as a young man."
Hendricks returned with the team to Salt Lake City where he will undergo further evaluation and testing to determine the next steps for his recovery — a recovery that is expected to be a lengthy one.
"I think the biggest thing is just being there for him, physically and checking up on him, making sure he's OK," Kessler said. "Right now, he just needs a lot of support from a lot of people. So whether that's being for him in person or sending him texts or whatever, or just in prayers and wishes, it's just being there for him right now."
Everyone in the organization who was in Dallas showed that on Monday night. Each person went through the room where Hendricks was to show support for the 20-year-old forward.
"We're all here for him," Lauri Markkanen said. "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. I'm sure it feels tough for him and mentally all over the place, but we're gonna stay here for him and support him in whatever."
Now, the Jazz have the tough task of continuing the season after witnessing the gruesome injury.
"It's tough because, obviously, we all care about T a lot," Kessler said. "But the season doesn't stop. So we've gotta go in (Tuesday) and get ready for our next game and just continue the season."
A season that will no longer feature Hendricks.
"Nobody can do it alone," Markkanen said. "So just staying together and trying to do it for him."
