Jazz Taylor Hendricks Offers Update After Leg Injury

Dec 4, 2024, 2:24 PM

Follow @kslsports...

SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Jazz forward Taylor Hendricks offered his first update after suffering a gruesome leg injury earlier this season

The sophomore broke his fibula and dislocated his ankle on October 28.

Related: Taylor Hendricks Undergoes Successful Surgery

Taylor Hendricks Offers Update On Leg Injury

The injury occurred midway through the third period in a road game against the Dallas Mavericks in the team’s third game of the season.

“It was just like a regular play, I was just running back and I ended up just slipping on a wet spot,” Hendricks said. “I picked my leg up, and I seen my ankle was pointed the other way.”

The game was interrupted as medical personnel put Hendricks’s ankle back in place, and wheeled the 20-year-old off the floor on a gurney.

“They took me back to get X-rays, and then they told me what happened,” Hendricks remembered. “Then, yeah, I was pretty much in disbelief because the season had pretty much just started.”

Hendricks played only 40 games for the Jazz as a rookie, but earned a starting spot to open his second year.

Though he’d struggled to shoot the ball early in the season, his improvement was readily noticeable entering year two.

“I was just so excited to play my second year because I knew what to expect, and I was just so much more comfortable,” Hendricks said.

The forward underwent surgery on November 6, offering a silver lining to the difficult injury.

“I’m happy it happened early in the season so I can be able to fully recover and be ready for the next season,” Hendricks added.

What’s Next For Hendricks?

Since having surgery a month ago, Hendricks has returned to the Jazz practice facility and Delta Center to spend more time with his teammates.

The former lottery pick times his rehab to coincide with team practices, and has been watching home games from the locker room.

“They pretty much fixed the leg — the fracture in the fibula, but it’s really just working on my ankle mobility,” Hendricks said. “Getting that back, doing the rehab with that, and making sure I could just keep my muscle working out different parts of my body.”

As the season progresses, he’s expected to be able to spend even more time with his teammates.

“Probably early January will be a day I could be traveling,” Hendricks said. “So I’m looking forward [to] that.”

While the loss of playing time is a major setback in injuries, so is the lack of camaraderie that comes with playing a team sport.

While Hendricks’s teammates practice, play, and travel together, Hendricks is forced to spend time alone working on his rehab.

“I think being on the road with the team is really important,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said. “I think being on the plane, the bus, being around his teammates in those moments where you’re just one of the guys you’re just a part of the team, I think is really important for him.”

In 43 career appearances Hendricks is averaging 7.1 points and 4.7 rebounds while shooting 43 percent from the floor and 37 percent from three.

Are you on Threads yet? Let’s connect, give us a follow @kslsports.

Download the new & improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. You can stream live radio, video and stay up to date on all of your favorite teams.

Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops, on Instagram @BensHoops, or on BlueSky

KSL 5 TV Live

KSLSports Feed

Follow @kslsports...

KSL Sports

Warriors Shocked By Jazz On Eve Of Trade Deadline

The youth of the Utah Jazz overcame the veteran experience of the Golden State Warriors in the team's 131-128 victory on Wednesday night.

11 hours ago

Follow @kslsports...

KSL Sports

Takeaways From Utah’s 72-59 Win Over Colorado

Utah Basketball was back at home against the Colorado Buffs in a must-win game. Here are the takeaways from tonight's action.

12 hours ago

Follow @kslsports...

KSL Sports

Jazz Stun Warriors With Late Comeback To Steal Win

SALT LAKE CITY - Golden State looked to be pulling away early in the fourth, but a charge spearheaded by a developing core handed the Utah Jazz a 131-128 win.

12 hours ago

Follow @kslsports...

KSL Sports

Svi Mikhailiuk, Walker Kessler Combine For Dunk

Jazz guard Svi Mikhailiuk helped end an 11-0 Warriors run when he executed a perfectly placed lob pass to Walker Kessler for the dunk over two defenders.

13 hours ago

Follow @kslsports...

KSL Sports

Late Scoring Surge Leads To Utah Basketball’s 72-59 Win Over Colorado

Utah basketball secured a comfortable 72-59 win over Colorado thanks to a late 14-2 run in the final minutes to build a comfortable margin.

13 hours ago

Follow @kslsports...

KSL Sports

John Collins Spins Cycle Ends In Two-Handed Slam

SALT LAKE CITY - The Utah Jazz started hot on Monday, aided by the outstanding play of power forward John Collins and a posterizing slam. 

15 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

holiday gift basket with blue tissue paper and gingerbread cookies...

Kneaders Bakery & Cafe

Holiday hacks for a stress-free season

Get more out of your time with family and loved ones over the holidays by following these tips for a stress-free season.

2 computer techs in a computer shop holding up a computer server with the "hang loose" sign...

PC Laptops

A comprehensive guide to choosing the right computer

With these tips, choosing the right computer that fits your needs and your budget will be easier than ever.

crowds of people in a German style Christmas market...

This Is The Place Heritage Park

Celebrate Christkindlmarket at This Is The Place Heritage Park!

The Christkindlmarket is an annual holiday celebration influenced by German traditions and generous giving.

Image of pretty woman walking in snowy mountains. Portrait of female wearing warm winter earmuff, r...

Lighting Design

Brighten your mood this winter with these lighting tricks

Read our lighting tips on how to brighten your mood in the winter if you are experiencing seasonal affective disorder.

A kitchen with a washer and dryer and a refrigerator...

Appliance Man

Appliance Man: a trusted name in Utah’s home appliance industry

Despite many recent closures of local appliance stores, Appliance Man remains Utah's trusted home appliance business and is here to stay.

abstract vector digital social network technology background...

Les Olson

Protecting yourself against social engineering attacks

Learn more about the common types of social engineering to protect your online or offline assets from an attack.

Jazz Taylor Hendricks Offers Update After Leg Injury