Nets forward Caris LeVert was stretchered off the court at Target Center with an apparent right leg injury and taken to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minnesota, YES Network’s Michael Grady reports.
“Caris LeVert sustained a right leg injury during the second quarter of tonight’s game at Minnesota,” the Nets said in an update. “LeVert is being taken to a local Minneapolis hospital where he will undergo a full evaluation. Further updates will be issued as available.”
Just seconds before halftime, LeVert went for a block and landed awkwardly on his right ankle. Several Nets players were visibly crying while Timberwolves players huddled together in prayer for the Brooklyn swingman. LeVert posted 10 points, five rebounds and four assists before the injury.
The injury looked similar to the gruesome left leg injury Celtics’ forward Gordon Hayward suffered last October. Just minutes into Boston’s season opener, Hayward landed awkwardly on his left leg and suffered a dislocated and fractured left tibia. Hayward underwent surgery and missed the entire 2017/18 NBA season.
LeVert, 24, has developed into a potent two-way threat for Brooklyn this season. In 14 games this season, the Michigan product has averaged 18.4 PPG, 4.2 RPG and 3.7 APG for the Nets while shooting 47.3% from the floor. The first-round pick (20th overall) from the 2016 NBA draft has developed into a key piece of the Nets’ future.
LeVert does have a history of foot injuries. He suffered a stress fracture in his left foot during his stint at the University of Michigan in May 2014. LeVert re-injured the same foot in January 2015 and missed the remainder of that collegiate season. He had been expected to be a top pick in the 2015 NBA draft.
The 6’7″, 200-pound forward once again suffered a left leg injury in his final season at Michigan, missing parts of three months and eventually undergoing his third surgical procedure in 22 months. The string of left leg injuries dropped LeVert’s draft stock, but he did end up being selected in the first round by the Pacers and being sent to the Nets in a trade for Thaddeus Young.
Hope he gets better. That was a brutal injury to watch live.
Feel terrible for the kid! Hope you are back walking soon.
Gruesome. Really love his game – and his effort. May see more of Dinwiddie and D’angelo in the same lineup.
RIP Nets season.
Horrible. As gruesome as that is, it comes at the worst time for him too – he was really taking off as a quality contributor.
One can only hope surgery and recovery is as straight forward as possible.
Damn that really sucks. Liked watching his growth the last couple of years, and he was a couple of years removed from his previous injuries
Edit that headline, Mark.
Emerging star, and the Nets one remaining asset from the Celtic trade. Horrible for that franchise.
Levert’s not that much better than the backups.
& He has an injury history. He had his weight on his heels.
I’m more concerned about the “visibly crying” Rondae HJ. He is fading.