Utah Jazz Issue Huge Taylor Hendricks Injury Update

A notable step in the right direction for Hendricks, who missed all but three games last season after suffering from a fractured right fibula and broken ankle against the Dallas Mavericks, and thus led him down a months-long road of recovery, essentially taking him off an NBA floor for an entire calendar year.

But now, after a successful recovery process, the Jazz feel confident that their 2023 lottery pick is good to go with camp and preseason right around the corner.

Ainge later broke down Hendricks' recovery a bit more during his media day presser, noting he's had "no restrictions" throughout this summer, and worked super hard to get to the point where he's at.

"Taylor has had no setbacks in his rehab," Ainge said. "It's gone great. He worked his tail off... He's been playing full court with no restrictions with our guys. I'm sure there will be some timing and some things getting back into the NBA game, but physically he looks great, and he's ready to go."

During his 43 career games in the league across years one and two, Hendricks has averaged 7.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and just under a block and a steal a game, shooting 43.4% from the field.

This season, he'll fill in as one of the more intriguing players in the mix of the Jazz's youth movement, and among the most important pieces of their defensive success after finishing as one of the worst units in the league on that end of the ball for the second year in a row.

Of course, as with many players in his position, it could take time for Hendricks to re-acclimate to the NBA game and pace after such a long time off, but physically, he's got the green light from the Jazz and their staff.