Utah Jazz shooting guard Alec Burks will not play again this season after electing to undergo surgery on his left shoulder, the team announced Tuesday. Burks tried playing through the pain multiple times, but has finally decided to shut it down.
Alec Burks out for season with shoulder injury
The starting Utah Jazz guard has been bothered by shoulder trouble all year since signing a four-year, $42 million extension.
Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
This is a disappointing end for the fourth-year guard, who signed a four-year, $42 million contract extension in October that kicks in next year. Burks' shoulder troubles began before the season even started and got worse after Nuggets guard Arron Afflalo flagrantly fouled him during a Dec. 1 game. He returned a week later despite concerns he might need surgery, but again was ruled out on Dec. 27 and has not played since.
It was a difficult season for Burks even before those troubles. While his three-point shooting improved and he averaged nearly 14 points per game in a starting role, his finishing around the basket, a strength in the past, became a weakness. Burks only converted 49 percent of his shots inside of five feet, down from over 56 percent last year.
Without Burks, the Jazz will likely move Gordon Hayward to shooting guard and give rookies Rodney Hood and Joe Ingles more playing time. According to Falk, the Jazz hope Burks will be ready for the start of training camp next season.
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