There is no doubt that Utah Jazz forward Brice Sensabaugh is talented. But the question remains: can the 20-year-old stay healthy?
Sensabaugh was hit by the “injury bug” again as he suffered an extensor tendon tear in his left middle finger during the second quarter of the Jazz’s first Las Vegas Summer League contest against Dallas on Saturday. He tallied two points on 1 of 5 shooting, though he drained his lone 3-point attempt. He grabbed two rebounds, doled out two assists, and committed a turnover in 12 minutes of action.
“Sensabaugh was examined Sunday by the Jazz medical staff and underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) testing, according to a statement released by the Jazz. “The MRI revealed an extensor tendon tear in his left middle finger. The injury was sustained during the second quarter of Saturday’s Summer League game against the Mavs. He will be out for the remainder of the NBA 2K25 Summer League. The finger will be splinted and re-evaluated in approximately six weeks.”
Sensabaugh, who finished strong with Utah last season, had a solid summer before the injury. He scored in double figures in all three of his Salt Lake City Summer League contests, averaging 13.2 points and 1.8 3-pointers while shooting 44.7/43.8/1.000. However, defense and turnovers still plagued him.
2023 First-Round Pick Can’t Catch A Break With Injuries To Miss Remainder Of Summer League
So, unless his finger doesn’t heal properly, Sensabaugh should be ready to go by training camp.
This is at least the fourth injury that has cost Sensabaugh time throughout his playing career. Sensabaugh was rocketing up the draft boards in 2023 during his lone collegiate season at Ohio State and was seen as a potential late lottery pick. However, he suffered a knee injury in March that ended his season, and the 6-6 wing fell to the Jazz at No. 28 overall due to his injury history during his lone season at Ohio State. Before entering college, Sensabaugh underwent two meniscus injuries in high school.
Sensabaugh missed the 2023 Summer League and part of the preseason while recovering from knee surgery. However, he stayed healthy throughout his rookie season.
Brice Sensabaugh’s Role In 2024-25
Sensabaugh played well while with the G-League Salt Lake City Stars and later in the season for the Jazz this past season. Sensabaugh was a regular rotation player and contributor for the Jazz after the all-star break, compiling 9.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. He drained 1.2 3-pointers a game, though he shot just 39.4% from the field and 29.7% from deep in 21.9 minutes over 26 appearances, including 11 starts.
Sensabaugh compiled one double-double on the season in 32 games overall. He scored in double-figures in nine of the last 26 games, including two 20-point efforts.
Sensabaugh had consecutive great games on March 31 and April against Sacramento and Cleveland. He scored 22 points in both contests, making 14 of 28 (50%) from the field and 11 of 19 from the 3-point line. He also totaled 11 rebounds, five assists, one block, and one steal.
With Utah not expected to compete for a playoff spot again this year, Sensabaugh should have a big role again. He projects to start at small forward or be among the the first three players off the bench.
The Jazz inked Drew Eubanks and kept Johnny Juzang in free agency while adding Cody Williams and Isaiah Collier in the first round. The Jazz have agreed to sign and trade with Kris Dunn and released Omer Yurtseven. Talen Horton-Tucker, Kira Lewis Jr., and Luka Samanic are still unsigned.
Utah has 16 players on standard contracts, with Darius Bazley and Kenneth Lofton Jr. on nonguaranteed deals. The Jazz have to spend more money, as they are about $17 million under the NBA floor.
