The Minnesota Timberwolves drafted Jaylen Clark in the second round of the 2023 NBA draft after he suffered a torn Achilles at UCLA. Clark sat out the '23–24 season and didn't make his NBA debut until January 2025. On Sunday he started his second career game and was showing great promise for a Timberwolves team that has been dealing with a number of injuries this season.
Then midway through the third quarter Clark suffered a scary fall. After Clark stole the ball he challenged Isaiah Hartenstein at the rim and fell down, hitting the back of his head on the court. Clark remained on the ground grabbing his head as play continued and Anthony Edwards hit a three.
For whatever reason officials did not blow the whistle.
Why the hell didn't the officials stop the game after the bucket??? pic.twitter.com/ruNwpL5d2t
— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) February 24, 2025
I fell asleep during halftime and I wake up today to Jaylen Clark with a scary injury 😭
— Shea Butter (@ButtaSports) February 24, 2025
The refs didn’t want to stop play because…?????? pic.twitter.com/kQWlm0XeOr
Even more troubling that the officials letting play continue while there was an injured player was the fact that the training staff showed zero urgency. Joe Ingles, who had been sitting on the bench, was the first one to check on Clark.
Ugh. Jaylen Clark has had such a great game, so tough to see him in pain like this. He got his head slammed on the ground.
— Nadine Babu (@NadineBabu) February 24, 2025
Good to see him be able to get up, and he’s walking back up the locker room. #Timberwolves pic.twitter.com/HNU8lybV3S
Clark was eventually helped to the locker room and ruled out with what the team called a neck injury.
Clark finished with 14 points, four steals and one rebound in 18 minutes. Hopefully he's able to return soon.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Referees, Trainers Shockingly Unconcerned After Wolves Rookie Slammed Head Off Court.
