Utah Jazz Holding Rodney Hood Out Through the All-Star Break
Following his second injury to the same knee, the Utah Jazz have made the call to keep Rodney Hood on the shelf through the All-Star Break.
On one front, the fears of Utah Jazz fans were put to rest on Saturday. After missing a game due to soreness in his previously injured toe, George Hill was back in action that night against the Boston Celtics. Not only that — he was up to his old tricks, scoring 22 points and adding three steals in the game.
Unfortunately, it was a good news/bad news situation for the Jazz faithful.
According to Tony Jones of The Salt Lake Tribune, starting shooting guard Rodney Hood, who has missed the team’s last five games, will be out for at least the next 12 days through the NBA’s All-Star Break.
Tribune sources: Jazz guard Rodney Hood out until after the all-star break with LCL sprain and bone contusion – https://t.co/ONtZmV3bFb
— Tony Jones (@tribjazz) February 12, 2017
Hood has been out with a bone bruise on his right knee, as well as a Grade 1 sprain of the lateral collateral ligament. It all stems from a hyperextension suffered earlier this month against the Milwaukee Bucks.
A hyperextension of the same knee previously forced him out of five games in late January. The timing was unfortunate for Hood, who looked to be coming out of a shooting slump at the time.
Although multiple MRIs have eased fears of a more devastating injury, the Jazz are looking to play it safe with Hood until he’s 100 percent. Given the team’s luck with injuries this season, it’s hard to blame them for being extra cautious.
In total Hood has already lost 14 games to injury and/or illness this season. He’ll miss at least two more as the Jazz finish off their Pre-All Star schedule. Look for Joe Ingles to continue to start in his place.
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Through 40 games played this season, Hood is averaging 13.7 points and nearly four rebounds per contest. He’s shooting 42 percent from the field and just under 37 percent from three-point range.
While that doesn’t equate to the year-three jump that many expected, the 24-year-old continues to be an integral cog in the Jazz attack. Utah currently has a losing record when Hood is out of the lineup.