2014 NBA Draft's second overall pick Jabari Parker to miss rest of the season
The Horrific injury
Exiting the Milwaukee Bucks-Phoenix Suns game in the third quarter, Jabari Parker was said to have only suffered a knee sprain. However, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein he has suffered a torn ACL in his left knee and is expected to miss the rest of the season.
Parker’s left knee can be seen below bending inwards awkardly without any impact while driving on Suns’ P.J. Tucker.
Jabari Parker's left knee bends awkwardly.
Vine by Jack Winter
The Suns are expected to make Parker’s loss for the season official in an announcement on Wednesday.
Injury huge blow to the franchise
The second overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, Parker started all games and averaged 12.3 points (second on the team) and 5.5 rebounds on 49% shooting from the field in 25 games this season. The development of sophomore Giannis Antetkounmpo along with the exciting play of Parker had brought a lot of excitement in Milwaukee given the long ear of medicority that the fans had to endure.The latter’s injury is a huge blow to the Bucks’ plans of making the Playoffs.
After just 15 wins last season, the franchise has got off to a relatively hot start of 13-12 under new Head Coach Jason Kidd. Ersan ILlyasova is most expected to take the rookie’s place in the starting line-up. Whether the team can still make the Playoffs without Parker is yet to be seen but the injury is bound to affect the rotation of Kidd and the play of the team on court.
Hopes of winning ROY
Despite being drafted after Andrew Wiggins, Parker was predicted to be the better franchise player of the two considering the athleticism he has for his size. He was sizzling in the month of December shooting an impressive 59% from the field but the injury takes with it all the chances of winning the award.
Parker joins Los Angeles Lakers rookie Julius Randle as the second rookie to miss the rest of the season. The top pick in the draft, Andrew Wiggins is now the frontrunner to win the Rookie of the Year award come April.
Here’s the reaction from Teammate Jared Dudley on Twitter:
RT @_John_Henson_: Sending one up for the homie @JabariParker for a speedy recovery !