Jazz lose Dante Exum to ACL

Utah Jazz have suffered a serious blow as one of their players, Dante Exum, injured his knee in an International match between the Australian and Slovenian basketball teams in Ljubljana, Slovenia on August 4.

Six minutes into Australia’s final warm up match before the 2015 Oceania championships, Exum suffered a non-contact injury to his left knee. After being tended to by the medical staff of the Australian team, he flew back to Utah for further tests with the Jazz’s doctors. He underwent a MRI scan at the University of Utah Health Care’s Orthopedic Center. There, the doctors of the Jazz, Dr. Travis Maak and Dr. David Petron diagnosed him suffering a tear in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee.

A statement released by Utah Jazz General Manager Dennis Lindsey :

“First and foremost, our overriding concern is with Dante and his long-term health. We are continuing to work closely with our medical staff, Dante and his representation, in order to reach an accurate diagnosis and recommend treatment so that we can provide him with the best possible care. We all know how hard he will work to make a full recovery and look forward to his return to play.”

Exum was the fifth overall pick in during the 2014 NBA Draft and started 41 and played all 82 games last season and Utah finished with a 38-44 record averaging 4.8 points, 2.4 assists and 1.6 rebounds per game.

Exum was part of the Boomers (Australian National Basketball Team) squad for the 2015 FIBA Oceania Championship, having already played for them in the 2014 FIBA World Cup. The Boomers will make the necessary changes in squad as they prepare to take New Zealand in a two game series for the Oceania Championship

Exum’s injury might be a blow for Utah Jazz’s possible post season hopes as the ACL would sideline him for most, if not the entire regular season. Utah might be playing Bryce Cotton or Trey Bruke more regularly for the season.

Editor : Akanksha Agarwal