With just over three minutes remaining in the second quarter of Monday’s game between the Houston Rockets and Utah Jazz, Tari Eason and Vince Williams Jr. collided while fighting for position off the ball.
The impact caused Williams to land awkwardly, his left knee hyperextending as it bent unnaturally after he was knocked off balance.
Williams was helped off the court and did not return. The Jazz later ruled him out with a left knee injury. An MRI is scheduled, but early fears of a significant ACL injury are already circulating.
Houston went on to win 125-105 at Toyota Center, improving to 35-21 on the season. Eason recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, though he struggled with his shot 5-of-12 from the field, 1-of-5 from three.
Jabari Smith Jr. led the Rockets with 31 points and nine rebounds. Amen Thompson added 20, Kevin Durant contributed 18, and Reed Sheppard chipped in 15.
For Utah, the loss stings. But the injury to Williams is devastating. If he misses significant time, it’s a serious setback for both the 24-year-old guard and a Jazz squad already struggling to find its footing.
The play itself has sparked debate. Was it a basketball play gone wrong, or was Eason unnecessarily physical? The league will review the incident, but no punishment can undo what happened to Williams’ knee.
In the NBA, the line between aggressive play and dangerous play is razor-thin. Monday night, that line had real consequences.