:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63249876/usa_today_11863500.0.jpg)
The Jazz are currently fighting to avoid an earlier-than-necessary matchup with the Warriors. Unfortunately for Utah, their pursuit of a favorable position in the Western Conference won’t include Australian guard Dante Exum. According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Exum will be sidelined indefinitely with a partially torn patellar tendon in his right knee.
Utah Jazz guard Dante Exum has suffered a partially torn patellar tendon in his right knee and is sidelined indefinitely.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 16, 2019
Exum, who was selected with the No. 5 pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, is once again set to miss a noticeable amount of time. After competing in 82 games as a rookie, he suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during an international matchup between Australia and Slovenia. That injury forced Exum out of action for the entire 2015-16 season.
Prior to Thursday’s setback, Exum had appeared in 42 games for the Jazz this season (one start). In those contests, he averaged 6.9 points and 15.8 minutes per game.