SALT LAKE CITY (AP) – In a surprising twist following a season-ending injury, Utah Jazz power forward, Taylor Hendricksis making determined efforts to stay engaged from the sides of the field. Hendricks actively makes plays for his teammates, showing off his game intelligence even while rehabbing.
During a home match against the Phoenix Suns on November 12, Hendricks contributed from the bench by designing an early play that allowed John Collins to score a shot from midfield, opening the scoring for Utah on the night.
“He was sitting with the whiteboard next to him, so I brought the starting group over, handed him the board and said, ‘Taylor is going to draw your first play for tonight,'” the Washington coach said. Jazz, Will Hardy. “It was a joyful moment, not only to see him plot the play but also to see him explain it with so much enthusiasm. »
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This unexpected twist is far from what Hendricks or the Jazz had imagined for his second season. The winger aspired to stand out as a key defensive player. However, an unfortunate incident on October 28 during a match against the Dallas Mavericks resulted in a fractured right fibula and a dislocated ankle, an injury that occurred when he landed awkwardly on the floor. The severity of the injury led to Hendricks being taken off on a stretcher.
At first, Hendricks was optimistic, believing the non-contact nature of the injury implied it wasn’t serious. “I thought I was out of the woods because the doctor who came to help me put it back in place. I thought, ‘I’ll probably be out for a week or two and then I’ll be back on the field,’” he mused.
However, x-rays revealed more extensive damage, requiring surgery soon after. Currently, he wears a protective boot and travels around practices and home games on a scooter.
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-Although he won’t be able to travel with the Jazz until he needs a scooter or crutches — probably not until January at the earliest — the emotional weight of not playing this season is weighing heavily on Hendricks. This is especially poignant considering the extra effort he put into improving his skills during the offseason. In his three appearances this season, he averaged 4.7 points and 5.0 rebounds in about 25 minutes.
Hendricks was selected ninth overall by Utah in the 2023 draft and had already made substantial contributions as a rookie, appearing in 40 games, starting 23 of them, while averaging 7.3 points and 4.6 rebounds.
“I felt a lot more comfortable on the field this year,” he said. “This is precisely why I was so eager to dive into my second season; I knew what to expect and felt more prepared than ever. »
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Despite this setback, he maintains a positive outlook on the long road to rehabilitation that awaits him. Hendricks knows he’s in no rush to return, emphasizing that he has to take things slow and steady without setting a specific return date. “Keeping that perspective in mind helps me approach this recovery day by day, to make sure I’m not rushing,” he noted.
The Jazz organization is adopting an equally cautious attitude. Coach Hardy said they are aiming for Hendricks to return in time for training camp ahead of the 2025-26 season, emphasizing the importance of a full and safe recovery. “There is no need to discuss possibilities like summer league at this time; with an injury of this nature and the value we place on Taylor, it’s all about making sure he comes back 100 percent well,” Hardy said.
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