Report: 2 Jazz 1st-Rounders Miss Summer League Practice With Injury

Utah Jazz first-round rookies Taylor Hendricks and Brice Sensabaugh both missed the team's initial Summer League practice on Thursday. The Salt Lake Tribune's Eric Walden reported that Hendricks has a right hamstring strain, while Sensabaugh is dealing with the recovery from surgery on his left knee.

The Jazz will practice again on Friday and Saturday in preparation for their Summer League showdown with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday. Neither Hendricks nor Sensabaugh physically worked out for the Jazz during the pre-draft phase, and it seems those lingering injuries may prevent participation against the Thunder.

Hendricks, who was drafted with the No. 9 overall pick, wants to play.

“I would love to play in summer league,” Hendricks said on draft night, “but we’re going to take it one day at a time.”

Sensabaugh was drafted with the No. 28 pick and seems to be on the rehab trail for a season-ending knee injury while at Ohio State in March of this year. Injuries will likely perform their role in practically every professional organization. Players will want to be in uniform at every opportunity as the prospect of slipping from the pecking order will threaten.

Hendricks primarily plays the forward position with the versatility to slot in at the center spot. But the Jazz currently boast a frontline that is, if not the best in the NBA, one that's certainly in the conversation.

Utah's frontline trio will includes Walker Kessler, John Collins, and All-Star Lauri Markkanen. The Jazz recently exercised Kelly Olynyk's option, fully guaranteeing his deal for the 2024 season, who can also play forward and center positions. Simply put, the Jazz are stacked at the frontline positions.

Sensabaugh will likely play the shooting guard and small forward position. We've already discussed the depth at forward, but the Jazz are stacked at the guard position also.

I didn't anticipate both Talen Horton-Tucker and Jordan Clarkson exercising their opt-in clauses, but both, in fact, have. Point guard Kris Dunn will certainly make his case for playing time, as well as the Jazz starter at season's end Ochai Agbaji. Sprinkle in NBA-ready No. 16 overall pick Keyonte George, and Utah's backend depth will make it a challenge for anyone looking to acquire minutes.

Hopefully, Hendricks and Sensabaugh can return to the court rapidly as the pillar of competition has arrived, and game time minutes in a Jazz uniform have suddenly become scarce.

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