Gordon Hayward sat out of Utah Jazz practice on Thursday with a bruised right kneecap. The swingman will be a game-time decision for Utah's game against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday, via Jody Genessy of the Deseret News:
Gordon Hayward injury: Jazz swingman has bruised right kneecap
Maybe this is why Hayward shot so poorly on Wednesday night.
Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Gordon Hayward not practicing with team. He has a bruised right knee cap and is getting treatment. Game-time decision Friday.
— Jody Genessy (@DJJazzyJody) November 21, 2013 Perhaps this injury explains Hayward's performance in Utah's 105-98 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday. The normally accurate shooter went 1-of-17 from the field, easily the worst shooting night he's ever had. While he recorded a career-high 11 assists, Hayward missed from just about everywhere on the court:
Via NBA.com’s stats tool
Hayward did not mention the injury when explaining his struggles after the game, via Genessy:
“For whatever reason, they just didn’t fall tonight. It’s pretty frustrating,” Hayward said. “If I would’ve hit two or three more shots, we probably would’ve won the game. But I missed 16 of them. It’s, whatever, I’ve got to move on.”
Despite the near-historically dismal night, Hayward’s 18 points per game leads the Jazz by a wide margin. If he does have to miss their game in Dallas, his team will be in even more trouble. Utah owns a league-worst 1-12 record and the Mavericks are 6-0 at home.
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