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The Utah Jazz got some good news on Sunday morning.
Following an initial diagnosis of a hyperextended knee, Jazz shooting guard Rodney Hood underwent an MRI and has been diagnosed with a bone bruise, sources tell The Salt Lake Tribune.
Hood will miss Utah's game on Monday night against the Phoenix Suns, sources say, and could miss up to 1-2 weeks while waiting for the bone bruise to heal. Sources say Hood is still in significant pain, but that the MRI revealed no other structural damage to his knee.
The injury occurred late in the fourth quarter of Utah's 114-107 win over the Orlando Magic on Saturday night. Pushing the ball in a transition opportunity, Hood made a move to the hoop and collapsed without contact.
Holding his knee, the thought that Hood had torn his ACL or other ligaments was real. He couldn't put weight on the knee as he left the floor. He tried as he approached the players tunnel, but had to be carried to the locker room.
Following Utah's win, Jazz coach Quin Snyder said Hood's knee was hyperextended, and that he would be further evaluated on Sunday morning. Hood underwent the MRI and the results came back clean.
In Hood's absence, Snyder can go a few ways to fill the void in the starting lineup. He can go with Joe Ingles, who has played extremely well this season off the bench. He could go to Alec Burks, who is still making his way back to full speed within the rotation. He could go to Joe Johnson, or even young guard Danté Exum.
Hood is no doubt fortunate to escape further injury. Still, the bruise comes at an inopportune time for him after a recent streak of solid performances. He scored a season-high 27 points in Friday's win over the Detroit Pistons. He hit huge 3-pointers late in the fourth quarter this week in wins over the Magic and the Cleveland Cavaliers. In a lineup full of scoring and options, Hood seemed to be gaining his footing.
The Jazz head into Monday's game with the Suns at 26-16. They are trying for their fourth consecutive win.
— Tony Jones