Phoenix Suns backup point guard Isaiah Canaan suffered a broken left ankle during Wednesday night's 102-88 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, and is expected to undergo surgery today. The gruesome injury took place in the final seconds of the first quarter, as Canaan fell awkwardly after being fouled on a drive to the basket.
His left foot was pointing in the wrong direction but the Suns' team doctor, Tom Carter, says Canaan "never uttered a word of pain" as he twisted the foot and ankle back into place.
Canaan, 26, was loaded onto a stretcher and wheeled off the court while teammates were left in shock at what they had just seen.
"It's hard for fans and everyone sitting right there, and teammates especially, a guy they battle with every day. It's their friend on and off the court,'' Suns interim coach Jay Triano said, per ESPN. "I used the timeout to let us say a quick prayer and get us refocused again to keep playing.
"Not much we can do. He was in the hands of our medical staff and we trust they do their job and we had to keep doing ours.''
The fifth-year point guard joined the Suns on December 13th after being waived by the Rockets, and has averaged 9.4 points and 4.2 assists in 18 games with Phoenix.
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