Suns’ Isaiah Canaan leaves game with gruesome injury
Jan 31, 2018, 9:45 PM | Updated: Feb 1, 2018, 6:28 pm
Phoenix Suns guard Isaiah Canaan (2) is fouled by Dallas Mavericks guards Wesley Matthews, left, and Yogi Ferrell, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
The first quarter of the Phoenix Suns’ win over the Dallas Mavericks Wednesday night ended in a way it never should — with a terrible injury.
As Isaiah Canaan was finishing off a fast break, he landed awkwardly on his left ankle and it collapsed under him, causing his leg to bend the wrong way as he hit the ground.
“I honestly didn’t want to watch it, I tried to turn around, I tried turning some people around before people saw what was actually happening,” Suns power forward Marquese Chriss said following the game. “That’s the sport we play and things like that can happen. I think it kind of opens your eyes at how fast things like that can happen to you.”
After he hit the floor, Jared Dudley was the first one to run over to his aid. Dragan Bender and Devin Booker could not bear to look. Everyone on the court looked visibly shaken from the scene.
WARNING: LINK CONTAINS GRAPHIC CONTENT: Canaan Injury
Canaan was wheeled off the court and later diagnosed with a left ankle fracture.
“It’s hard for fans and everybody sitting right there and teammates especially sitting right there,” Suns interim head coach Jay Triano said after the game. “It’s a guy that they battle with every day and that’s their friend on and off the court.
“I used the timeout to try to just let us say a quick prayer and get us refocused again to keep playing.”
Before he went down, Canaan had three points, one assist and one steal in five minutes of play.
The Suns ended the first quarter leading the Mavericks 36-17, but the lead was bittersweet with Canaan getting hurt with just seconds left in the quarter.
Following the team’s 102-88 win over the Mavericks, Booker took to Twitter to show his support for Canaan.
Man, this one hurts!! Prayers up big homie!! 🙏🏼🙏🏼 @SiP03 pic.twitter.com/LkJ17chA55
— Devin Booker (@DevinBook) February 1, 2018
It was announced the following day that Canaan had successful surgery and there is no timetable for his return.
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