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UCLA Basketball: Steve Alford Gives an Update on TJ Leaf’s Injury

By Mike Regalado

February 18, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins forward TJ Leaf (22) grabs a rebound against the Southern California Trojans during the first half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
February 18, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins forward TJ Leaf (22) grabs a rebound against the Southern California Trojans during the first half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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UCLA Basketball Head Coach Steve Alford gave an update on freshman forward TJ Leaf’s sprained left ankle, an injury he sustained five minutes into UCLA’s win over Washington.

When UCLA Basketball‘s freshman power forward went down early in the game against the Washington Huskies, you could almost hear a collective “nooooooooo” from Bruin fans.

Leaf has been a vital part to UCLA’s offensive resurgence this season as he is putting up a team-high 16.8 points per game, which is also good for 6th best in the Pac-12. Though the Bruins are stocked with talent, losing Leaf for any amount of time would be crucial to UCLA’s post-season success.

Early in the game, Leaf had landed awkwardly whilst defending a shot down low, which immediately caused him to fall to the ground and had stayed their for several minutes. He needed assistance to get off the court and was immediately taken to the locker room. It was then revealed that Leaf would not return for the game and suffered a sprain to his left ankle.

After the contest, Head Coach Steve Alford had talked to the media and gave an update on the injury and his message was promising. The video comes courtesy of

Bruin Report Online

.

Alford was asked how Leaf’s injury was looking. He responded, “We hope good. He’ll be crutches, boot, try to get that thing rest and a lot of treatment.” Alford then made light of the situation by referencing the fact that in the five minutes Leaf played, he managed 2 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal and 1 block.

“We obviously got to get him back as soon as we can. But it was just a sprained ankle. So it was not a bad one, but we have to wait and see what the next 48 hours look like as far as his availability for Saturday [vs. Washington State].” Alford also confirmed that x-rays have determined there was no break.

Next: UCLA Favored to Win the National Championship, per Bovada

Right now, even if the sprain is mild, the Bruins should save him up for the Pac-12 Tournament, which the Bruins would begin play one week from today. Let him sit for a game if it means he is healthy for the post-season. Hopefully it is nothing more than that. Hopefully.