It looked bad when it happened (you can see the video below). Utah’s Alec Burks attacked the rim, Paul Pierce rotated over and fouled him, and Burks landed awkwardly.
It is bad — Burks has a fractured fibula and is out indefinitely, the team announced Sunday. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports says Burks will be out at least six weeks. From the team’s official press release:
Following today’s examination, Jazz physicians Dr. Travis Maak and Dr. David Petron confirmed that Burks suffered a fractured left fibula. Burks was also previously diagnosed with concussion-like symptoms by the Jazz medical staff.... No surgery is required and Burks will remain out indefinitely.
Burks joins point guard Dante Exum (ACL injury, out for the season) and Rudy Gobert (knee injury) as key Jazz players to be sidelined for extended stretches due to injury. None of that was pretty, but Burks was hard to watch.
Initial angle on Alec Burks' injury: pic.twitter.com/2HzWhFEdoE
— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) December 27, 2015
The Jazz at 12-16 are still battling for a playoff spot in a down bottom of the Western Conference, but this will be a setback (however it does not end their chances entirely). Burks had played in every Jazz game this season averaging 14.3 points a contest (third on the team) and shooting 38.7 percent from three. Burks being out means more Rodney Hood and Joe Ingles at the two spot. Utah will need their depth to step up if they are going to hold on to the eight seed.