LAS VEGAS — Izaiyah Nelson had played at Summer League like a guy who deserved his two-way contract with Orlando after being drafted in the second round last month. He showed promise.
Now he is sidelined for the next four months following surgery to repair a fractured left ankle suffered in a game at Summer League Sunday, the team announced.
The injury occurred in the second quarter of a game against Portland on Sunday, and it looked bad when it happened. The Trail Blazers‘ Quincy Olivari was attacking the basket in transition, and Orlando guard TyTy Washington was in front trying to take a charge and went to the ground under the basket. Nelson came flying in for a chase down block and got the rejection, but coming down was trying to avoid landing on Washington, came down awkwardly and was instantly in considerable pain.
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Nelson was back on the bench at the end of the game, but in a full walking boot and was limping badly, needing help to move around.
Nelson, a 6’10” high-motor big man, had made an impression at Summer League, more with his energy and defense, but he added eight points across two games. He came to the NBA after four years in college, three at Arkansas State and a final season at South Florida.
