Utah Jazz Forward Rudy Gay Suffers Nasal Fracture After In-Game Collision

Feb 23, 2023, 7:50 PM | Updated: Feb 24, 2023, 10:03 am

Digital Sports Producer

SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Jazz forward Rudy Gay suffered a nasal fracture after he was hit in the face by an elbow from teammate Lauri Markkanen during a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Jazz (29-31, 11th in West) returned from the All-Star break to host the Oklahoma City Thunder (28-29, 10th in West) on Thursday, February 23.

Early in the second quarter, Gay and Markkanen each went up for a rebound. Replay showed that Markkanen’s elbow contacted Gay’s face, drawing an immediate reaction from the veteran.

Rudy Gay (nasal fracture) will not return.

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 24, 2023

With Gay away from the play, Markkanen took a pass from center Damion Jones and finished at the basket with a layup while drawing a foul. The first-time All-Star completed the three-point play after Gay went to the locker room.

A short time later, the Jazz ruled Gay out from returning due to a nasal fracture.

The Jazz and Thunder are locked in a close battle. Utah leads 34-33 with seven minutes left in the half.

Lauri Markkanen and Rudy Gay collided on a rebound tip out and Gay is pretty shaken up.

It's also left Markkanen trying to shake out his elbow.

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) February 24, 2023

Sexton Out With Hamstring Injury

On Wednesday, the Jazz announced that Collin Sexton had a left hamstring injury and would miss Thursday’s contest against the Thunder

Sexton is due to have the injury reexamined on Monday which will also keep him out of Saturday’s game at home against the San Antonio Spurs.

The speedy guard suffered the injury in the first quarter of the team’s loss to the Memphis Grizzlies last Wednesday, their final game before the All-Star break.

During the break, the Jazz added additional guard depth to fill out the roster by signing veterans Frank Jackson and Kris Dunn to 10-day contracts.

Thunder Closed First Half Of Season Well

The Thunder come into Utah having played their best basketball of the season over their last 21 games.

Oklahoma City has won 13 of their last 21 outings to climb into the 10th spot in the West, and are likely to compete for a spot in the Western Conference Play-In tournament.

kickin’ off a 3-game home stand 💜🏡

⏰ 7:00PM MT
📺 @attsportsnet
📻 @kslsportszone
📍 @vivintarena
🎟️ https://t.co/qDxSA3jJ3A #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/9IHlVJ5OKL

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 23, 2023

Thursday marks the first meeting between the Thunder and Jazz this season.

The two teams will meet three more times before the season’s end, including back-to-back games in Oklahoma City next week as the Jazz open a six-game road swing.

Utah Jazz vs. OKC Thunder Broadcast

The Utah Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder game is being televised on AT&T SportsNet and can be heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. It can also be streamed on DirecTV Stream and FuboTV.