With memories of Damian Lillard‘s stellar rookie campaign fresh in their minds, more than a few experts picked another mid-lottery point guard to grab the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award this season.
That still could happen, but Trey Burke‘s regular-season NBA debut could end up being delayed.
Burke broke his right index finger during the Utah Jazz’s preseason game on Saturday and could miss three to six weeks, his father told The Salt Lake Tribune. Burke reportedly was to be examined by a hand specialist on Monday.
“Not sure on surgery,” Benji Burke said via text message to Steve Luhm. “Looking at three to six weeks, guessing. [Trey] is in good spirits.”
If that timeline is accurate, Burke will at least be sidelined for the start of Utah’s season Oct. 30 against the Thunder. The No. 9 pick in this year’s draft had impressed coach Ty Corbin‘s staff in summer league and preseason, and seemed on track to be the unusual Jazz rookie to earn a starting spot out of training camp.
