Boris Diaw Injury: Updates on Jazz Forward’s Leg and Return
Published by Scott Polacek on November 3, 2016
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
Utah Jazz big man Boris Diaw is suffering from a right leg contusion that will keep him out of the lineup. It is uncertain when he will return to action.
Continue for updates.
Latest on Diaw’s Timeline for Return
Thursday, Nov. 3
Tim MacMahon of ESPN reported Diaw is “likely” to miss two weeks as he recovers.
Diaw Expected to Be Veteran Depth for Growing Jazz Team
This is a difficult setback for a Jazz team that is looking to make a postseason run.
When healthy, Diaw can do a little bit of everything. He can stretch the defense with his mid-range jumper, hit the occasional three-pointer, compete on the glass down low, handle the ball and find open teammates with solid passing skills for a 6’8” forward-center hybrid. Diaw also brings plenty of postseason experience as a critical part of the San Antonio Spurs‘ 2013-14 championship team.
He averaged 6.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game behind 52.7 percent shooting from the field as a member of the Spurs in 2015-16. Diaw has 0.7 points and 2.3 rebounds per game for Utah this season.
Fortunately for the Jazz, they have enough depth down low to cover for Diaw’s absence if he is out for extended time.
Rudy Gobert is a budding star who can score on the block, protect the rim and tally double-digit rebounds on any given night. Derrick Favors is coming off a career performance in 2015-16, when he averaged 16.4 points and 8.1 rebounds per game.
Elsewhere, Jeff Withey and Trey Lyles give the Jazz other options who can contribute in the rebounding department.
While Utah has enough pieces to fill in for Diaw, part of what makes it a dangerous postseason contender is its overall depth. Losing Diaw would cut into the rotation and limit Utah’s chances of reaching the playoffs for the first time since the 2011-12 season.
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