Nets guard Caris LeVert suffers ugly right leg injury

Late in the first half of Monday night’s game against the Timberwolves, Brooklyn Nets guard Caris LeVert suffered what will surely be a season-ending injury.

In the finals seconds of the first half Monday night, Brooklyn Nets guard Caris LeVert attempted a chase-down block on Minnesota Timberwolves guard Josh Okogie. A basket was indeed prevented, as LeVert committed a foul, but both guys landed oddly and Levert’s came down on the side of his right foot and lower right leg/ankle bent badly.

As LeVert laid on the floor and had his leg immobilized, silence fell inside Target Center. The reaction of the players on the floor said it all, and Timberwolves’ players huddled together near their bench in a prayer circle.

LeVert was eventually taken off the floor sitting up on a stretcher. The Timberwolves’ television broadcast on Fox Sports North, and I assume YES Network for the Nets as well, did not show replays of the play where LeVert was injured. Turns out, it was for good reason.

To see the play, click here or here, but be aware it is graphic.

LeVert has battled injuries dating back to his college career at Michigan. He missed 36 games over his first two NBA seasons, after being drafted 20th overall in 2016 by the Indiana Pacers and traded to the Nets shortly after. But he seemed primed for a third-year breakout, and LeVert had delivered so far this season as the Nets’ leading scorer (19 points per game) while averaging 4.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game.

LeVert was immediately headed to a local hospital for a full evaluation. To this point, the team has only said he suffered a right leg injury, which is a vague underestimation. The surprisingly around .500 (6-8) Nets will eventually get confirmation they’ll have to do without their emerging star for the rest of the season.