The Utah Jazz just lost Joe Ingles for the foreseeable future and, with him, one of the most important parts of their team’s dynamic.
The small forward has spent eight seasons with the Jazz, averaging 8.6 points, 3.8 assists, and 3.2 rebounds over his career.
For this season, Ingles has put up 7.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists.
But his importance to the team goes far beyond just the number of points and rebounds he secures.
Joe Ingles’ ranks in Jazz history…
Threes: 1st
3P%: 4th
Assists: 5th
TS%: 8th
Steals: 9th
Minutes: 14th
Wins Over Replacement Player: 14th— Andy Bailey (@AndrewDBailey) January 31, 2022
He has become a great team leader and a pivotal part of the Jazz resurgence.
How does the team recover without him?
Ingles Gets Injured
The injury that took Ingles down happened in the second quarter of Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves
Ingles suffered a rough knee injury and a day later it was announced that an MRI confirmed he has a torn ACL.
The injury requires surgery and the rest of his season is done for.
Ingles’ mishap comes at an interesting time for the player and the team, whose relationship was set to change drastically in the weeks ahead.
That’s because rumors said that the Jazz were looking to shop Ingles around the NBA and send him to another team in a trade package.
This is because the team is hoping to exchange Ingles for another player who is both offensively and defensively strong.
No one has given Ingles bad marks for his offense but some have commented that his defense is lacking at times.
The Jazz are looking to find someone who is more of a two-way player.
But now that Ingles is hurt, how does a trade deal change?
Will the team find a squad looking to take him on?
More importantly, who fills in the void that Ingles leaves?
He’s a reliable offensive threat and they will need someone to step it up and take over his role while he’s gone.
It seems like Danuel House Jr. is going to be retained for the long term by the Jazz, so he will be the first option.
However, he just entered COVID health and safety protocols so it’ll be a while before he can contribute.
Expect to see a lot more of Eric Paschall, Elijah Hughes, and Rudy Gay as they attempt to perfect perimeter shooting.
Each of those guys has already gotten a bump in minutes as the Jazz attempt to mend the hole that Ingles leaves.
More Than Numbers
Ingles will be hard to replace in other ways too.
He is known to be a really wonderful guy to play with, with a great personality and the ability to make his teammates laugh and have fun.
Team camaraderie is a very important thing and Ingles was a vital part of it.
We all wish you a speedy recovery, Joe Ingles 🙏 pic.twitter.com/aelYHu1Csu
— Jazz Nation (@JazzNationCP) January 31, 2022
With him gone, one of the most likable veterans on the squad is missing.
That could disrupt chemistry and an overall joyful attitude for the team.
And the sad fact is that Ingles might have played his last NBA game due to this injury.
ACL issues are hard to come back from, especially for an older player.
While a road to recovery isn’t impossible, it’s tough.
All Jazz fans are hoping they haven’t seen the last of Ingles but there is a good chance that his days playing professional ball could be over.
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