Udoka Azubuike Suffers Subluxation Of Ankle
Nov 27, 2021, 2:04 PM
(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz will be without Udoka Azubuike for an extended period of time after the second-year center suffered a serious ankle injury.
Azubuike landed awkwardly on his right ankle in the Salt Lake City Stars loss to the Stockton Kings on Friday night and had to be carried off the floor by his teammates unable to put any weight on the foot.
On Saturday, the Jazz announced that Azubuike had suffered a subluxation of the ankle, but X-rays revealed no fractures.
Per the @utahjazz.
Udoka Azubuike was examined by Utah Jazz and University of Utah medical personnel last night in Salt Lake City. Initial imaging determined that Azubuike suffered a subluxation in his right ankle. X-rays revealed no fractures.
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) November 27, 2021
This is the second consecutive season that Azubuike has suffered a major ankle injury while playing for the Stars. Last season the then-rookie came down hard on his ankle during the Stars season opener in February and wouldn’t return to the floor until mid-May.
The injury is another major setback for Azubuike who the Jazz selected with the 27th pick of the 2020 NBA draft.
The big man has appeared in just 19 total games and has career averages of 0.9 points, 0.9 rebounds, and has yet to record an assist in his first two seasons.
Warning, the video in the tweet below depicts a graphic injury.
.@utahjazz center Udoka Azubuike was unable to put weight on his right leg and had to be carried off the court after suffering an injury during tonight's @slcstars game.
📰: https://t.co/vzarRaRWDm#TakeNote #ItStartsHere @kslsports
🎥: @nbagleague pic.twitter.com/Ds5Tw3V0Ry— Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) November 27, 2021
Azubuike’s best play has come with the Jazz during the Salt Lake City and Las Vegas Summer Leagues.
In seven appearances between the two leagues, Azubuike averaged 13.7 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks while shooting an impressive 85 percent from the floor.