Utah Jazz guard Dante Exum suffered a non-contact left knee injury on Tuesday while competing for the Australian National Team in a game against the Slovenian National Team. We are continuing to work closely with our medical staff, Dant and his representation in order to reach an accurate diagnosis and recommended treatment so that we can provide him with the best possible care.
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Jazz president Randy Rigby has been supportive of Exum’s participation in worldwide matches, despite it cost Utah its sophomore guard. As he drove to the rim, Exum landed a jump stop on his heels awkwardly, twisting his knee to the inside and ultimately tearing his ACL. Unfortunately, the biggest takeaway from the summer will now be Dante Exum’s tragic ACL tear, but Utah’s actual offseason moves are still worth examining.
According to Salt Lake Tribunal, the 20-year-old Exum may have torn his left anterior cruciate ligament while playing for Boomers, although the Jazz is waiting for further medical examination to know for sure. The current strength of the Jazz is not built on Exum or his explosive athleticism. With the addition of first-round pick Trey Lyles, Utah’s appeared to have a talented young core in place, ready to fight for a playoff spot in the loaded Western Conference. If he returns, it will nearly certainly be very late in the year. Even if he recovers fully, with no lasting effects of the injury, he’s losing a season of experience as another year comes off the contracts of the rest of their core-Derrick Favors, Rudy Gobert, Hayward, Burks and Burke. Exum didn’t shoot well either as a rookie, but at least he took a lower-usage role. How will this injury affect Exum long-term?
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This injury won’t necessarily derail Utah or Exum, but it presents challenges nobody wanted to face.
