Aussies in NBA: Exum impresses before exiting with injury

The Aussie NBA injury curse has struck again and it seems this wretched beast has a preference for our lottery picks.

This off-season alone, injuries have stuck down Thon Maker with a wrist sprain, Ben Simmons with a broken foot and now Dante Exum with a hyper-extended knee.

https://twitter.com/utahjazz/status/783872190450065409

Exum finished the game against the Phoenix Suns with 5 points (2-4 FG, 0-1 3PT, 1-4 FT) and 4 assists in his 13 minutes.

Before his injury Exum had put on a promising display, playing much more in attack mode than he had the previous game.

He frequently knifed his way into the paint to set up teammates, score or get to the line.

https://twitter.com/bb_Highlights/status/783881705950175233

While there were also times when he drove in, got lost, then threw the ball away - the Jazz are happy to live with these occasions considering the overall positive results his drives yield.

"It was good that he was attacking," Utah Jazz coach Quinn Snyder said of Exum's play.

Exum also played excellent defense on the Suns young star Devon Booker who was visibly frustrated at his ability to keep in front then stick out a long limb to obstruct his progress.

With just under four minutes to go in the second quarter, Exum drove on Booker who fouled him on the shot. The momentum forced Exum to careen into an empty court-side chair, with the brunt of the contact made by his surgically repaired knee.

https://twitter.com/andyblarsen/status/783871866062581760

After hobbling his way to the free-throw line and taking his shots, coach Snyder ordered George Hill to intentionally foul the Suns so he could remove Exum from the game.

Although he didn't return this was more protective rather than necessary.

"It would've been nice if he could've played more, but we held him out for precautionary reasons," coach Snyder said after the game.

"He's fine, it was good to see that he was finding a little more comfort."

With the Jazz not playing again until Tuesday the 11th of October, hopefully Exum can get up and keep building on his form.

https://youtu.be/1NfE3uDSO-I