In a game on Sunday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles went down in a heap in the second quarter of action.
He was audibly screaming in pain at what was assumed to be a knee injury. His knee was seen buckling as he stumbled to the ground on a drive.
When trainers came over to finally help him, they called for a stretcher. However, the Aussie denied this help, choosing instead to hop back to the locker room on one foot with the aid of Utah’s training staff.
NBA Rumors: Jazz suspect Joe Ingles suffered serious knee injury
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Utah Jazz fear that the injury is significant. That being said, they are not confirming anything until an MRI is conducted on Monday (today).
The initial examination of the injury by Jazz staff led to the conclusion that the injury is likely serious, according to Wojnarowski. As mentioned, though, they are waiting for the MRI to confirm any findings.
The Jazz have been struggling as of late, with NBA rumors stating that they will be looking for defensive help on the perimeter at the NBA trade deadline.
Losing Ingles will certainly hurt them in that regard even more. He’s a crucial 3&D piece in their rotation, and although he’s been struggling a bit this year, he’s been vital to their success in recent years.
This season, Ingles is putting up 7.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists while shooting 40.8 percent from the field and 35.1 percent from three-point range.
Just last season, Ingles was a Sixth Man of the Year candidate before losing the ward to teammate Jordan Clarkson. He presented the away to Clarkson on NBA on TNT.
Ingles is in the final year of his current contract, set to hit unrestricted free agency at the end of the season. He’s spent his entire eight-year NBA career in Utah.
The 34-year-old Aussie has been an iron man throughout his career, at one point playing three full seasons without missing a game from 2016 to 2019.
If the knee injury is as serious as the Jazz physicians expect, Ingles could end up missing the rest of the year. Not ideal for a guy about to enter free agency.
Get well soon, Joe.