The Jazz used the last few seasons and especially last summer to fortify the team and add depth. Well, that will be tested right away.
That’s because Gordon Hayward suffered suffered a fracture of the fourth finger on his left hand according to a release from the Jazz.
According to reports, this injury could keep him benched as much as six weeks.
The extent of the injury will determine how much time he’ll miss, and if surgery is necessary.
Sources: Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward dislocated finger on left hand and is in process of determining next step. Expected to miss time.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) October 7, 2016
Bad news. Gordon Hayward suffered a dislocated and broken finger on his left hand. He's expected to miss six weeks, according to sources.
— Jody Genessy (@DJJazzyJody) October 7, 2016
Hayward was the team’s leading scorer last season at just under 20 points a game and widely considered a borderline All-Star. Much of the Jazz offense runs through him, although recent additions are designed to reduce the level of reliance on Hayward this season.
Over the summer Utah signed Joe Johnson, the veteran swingman who last played with the Heat, and traded for George Hill. The Jazz also have Rodney Hood to play the position and also will welcome back Dante Exum, who missed all of last season following a knee injury.
With two weeks remaining in the preseason, a worst case scenario has Hayward missing only the first month of the regular season.
