SALT LAKE CITY — Following a devastating injury that has sidelined him for the remainder of the season, Taylor Hendricks, a forward for the Utah Jazz, is actively seeking ways to maintain his involvement with the team off the court. One of the innovative methods he has adopted is designing plays for his teammates during games.
During a home game against the Phoenix Suns on November 12, Hendricks contributed by sketching out a play that resulted in John Collins scoring a stepback midrange jumper, marking the Jazz’s first basket of the game. Jazz coach Will Hardy remarked on the experience, saying, “He was sitting over there, and the board was by him, so I sent the first group over, gave him the board, and said, ‘Taylor’s going to draw up the first play for you.’ It was fun to watch him draw and explain it.”
This unexpected turn of events in Hendricks’ second NBA season came as a disappointment. He had aimed to enhance his game significantly, particularly his defensive capabilities. However, a serious injury on October 28 during a match against the Dallas Mavericks ended his aspirations when he fractured his right fibula and dislocated his ankle after losing his footing and landing incorrectly. The severity of the injury was underscored when he was taken off the court on a stretcher.
At first, Hendricks thought the injury wasn’t severe. “I thought I was good because the doctor that came over snapped it back into place, and I was like: ‘I’m probably straight. I’ll be out for a week or two and then I’m back,’” he commented. Yet, X-rays showed significant damage, necessitating surgery shortly thereafter. Currently, he is navigating practices and home games with a protective boot and a scooter.
Due to his condition, Hendricks is not permitted to travel with the team until he no longer requires a scooter or crutches, which is projected to be in January at the earliest. He expressed his heartbreak at not being able to compete again this season, especially after devoting considerable effort during the offseason to enhance his skills. Through the three games he played this season, he averaged 4.7 points and 5.0 rebounds over 25 minutes on the court.
Selected ninth overall in the 2023 NBA draft by Utah, Hendricks played in 40 games during his rookie season, starting in 23 and averaging 7.3 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. He reflected on his growth, saying, “I was definitely a lot more comfortable on the floor. That’s really why I was so excited to play my second year just because I knew what to expect and I was so much more comfortable.”
Even amid the challenges, Hendricks is striving to maintain a positive outlook as he embarks on a long journey of rehabilitation. He does not feel the need to hasten the recovery process, understanding that he won’t be back on the court until the next season. “Just keeping that in mind makes me really take it day by day and really take it slow and not try to rush anything,” he stated.
The Jazz organization is equally cautious regarding his recovery timeline. Coach Hardy mentioned that the aim is for Hendricks to return by training camp ahead of the 2025-26 season, but the focus remains on ensuring a full recovery rather than rushing the process. “There’s no reason to talk about things like summer league right now because with an injury at this level, and how much we value Taylor, it’s about getting it right and getting it 100% right,” Hardy emphasized.
