Jazz Clarkson Expects To Return From Ankle Injury V. Pacers

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Jordan Clarkson has missed the last four games for the Utah Jazz with a sprained ankle but says he expects to return Friday when they host the Indiana Pacers.

The guard went through the team’s non-contract practice on Thursday and said he plans on playing in the team’s rare Friday matinee.

“I’m feeling pretty good, doing a lot of treatment, icing,” Clarkson said. “Trying to get ready for this weekend knowing it’s a back-to-back. Tomorrow, I think I’m expected to play.”

Jordan Clarkson said he's expecting to play tomorrow against the Pacers.

He said there have been a handful of ankle injuries this year that have added up.

Also said he's had a "crack" in his shooting hand that caused his hand to swell up.

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) April 15, 2021

The Jazz will face the Pacers at home before traveling to Los Angeles to take on the Lakers on Saturday in back-to-back day games.

“I’m going through checking all the boxes, making sure I’m good,” Clarkson said. “I’m getting all the swelling out. I still have bruising but I feel like I’m ready to go.”

Clarkson last played in the Jazz loss to the Phoenix Suns on April 7 but has missed the four games to open the team’s five-game homestand since. Despite playing against the Suns, Clarkson said there was no watershed moment for the ankle injury and that the pain and swelling have accrued over time.

“I’ve twisted it a few times this year,” the sixth man said. “The first time was Memphis at home. Then I twisted it again in Dallas, and I think we went to Phoenix after that and ended up twisting in the first or second quarter on a fast break and came down and landed wrong […] I ended up having like a golf ball on my ankle, a lot of swelling and bruising.”

Georges Niang on what Jordan Clarkson brings:

"A barrage of points just out of nowhere. I think we missed Jordan in the sense that you literally throw the ball to him and he makes something happen. He's making other teams over help, drawing two defenders."

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 11, 2021

Clarkson has struggled for the Jazz over his last 16 appearances with the team. Through the first 35 games of the season, the guard was averaging 18.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists while shooting 45 percent from the floor and 37 percent from three.

However, over the last month and a half, his numbers have dipped to 14.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. Most concerningly, his shooting percentages have dropped to just 36 percent from the floor and 30 percent from the three-point line.

As it turns out, there might be a good reason for that. Clarkson said he experienced a hand injury just before the NBA’s All-Star break which coincides with his downturn in efficiency.

“During the season you a bunch of banged-up little small injuries,” Clarkson said. “I’ve had a crack in my shooting and shooting and my shooting hand was swollen pretty big.”

ESPN's Bobby Marks called the @UtahJazz trade for Jordan Clarkson one of the best in recent memory.

Where does it stack up among all-time Jazz trades?#TakeNote https://t.co/xfXJ1AhnSF

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 16, 2021

The sixth man said the injury occurred just before the team played on the road at the Philadelphia 76ers in the game before the mid-season break.

“Before that game, I saw some doctors and stuff, it is what it is,” Clarkson said. “But, I ain’t making no excuses at all, that’s part of the game.”

Though the guard has struggled of late, the Jazz will be happy to get in back in the fold. The team has had to dive deep into their second unit while Clarkson has missed games including playing little-used players like Miye Oni, Matt Thomas, and Jarrell Brantley to fill the guard’s minutes.

The Jazz and Pacers tip-off at 1 pm MT Friday before facing the Lakers at 2:30 pm MT on Saturday.

Follow @benshoops