Jazz PG Dante Exum has torn ACL, according to MRI results

The Utah Jazz have confirmed Australian point guard Dante Exum has a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

The Jazz were reportedly concerned Exum tore his ACL. Ingles also pointed out that if Exum’s injury is indeed diagnosed as an ACL, the realistic time table for Exum’s return could be in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

The 20-year-old was driving into the lane and came to a jump stop when his left knee buckled.

Exum also suffered an ankle injury earlier this summer after playing well in his only Summer League game. Exum returned to Salt Lake City from Ljubljana, Slovenia and had the MRI at University of Utah Health Care’s Orthopaedic Thursday morning. Previous reports indicated that the Jazz would shut Exum down for the whole 2015-16 season if the injury was confirmed. While Exum remains a raw prospect offensively, he established himself as a potential lockdown defender in his rookie season.

“First and foremost, our overriding concern is with Dante and his long-term health”, Jazz general manager Dennis Lindsey said in a statement released by the team. “We are continuing to work closely with our medical staff, Danté and his representation in order to reach an accurate diagnosis and recommended treatment so that we can provide him with the best possible care”.

This is a tough blow for Utah, who has high hopes heading into next year after closing out last season strong. If he returns, it will nearly certainly be very late in the year.

Trey Burke will likely regain his starting role for the Jazz after losing out to the rookie last season. Gordon Hayward bounced back from a awful shooting season to build on his all-around excellence.

Exum, who turned 20 last month, has youth on his side, which is a big advantage in major injuries like this.

After Dante Exum’s injury, that question should be put into serious consideration.