Orlando’s Devin Cannady horrifically breaks his ankle
It was an injury that looked more like damage that would happen in a UFC fight than a basketball match after an innocuous fall.
The Orlando Magic’s Devin Cannady looks to have a bit of recovery to do after he suffered an open fracture to his right ankle after attempting to block a layup attempt.
There were three minutes left in the first quarter when the 24-year-old went up for the block but landed awkwardly and was immediately in pain.
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But it was clear it was a truly bad injury with blood on the court from the ankle as his teammate Mo Bamba covered the injury with his jersey.
Cannady was taken off the court on a stretcher and gave a thumbs up the coverage cut away as the player on both sides reacted to
“What a smart play by Mo Bamba, what a compassionate play to take that jersey off and wrap the leg so Devin can’t see his leg,” one of the commentators said. “That’s pretty quick thinking by the young man.”
Post match, Bamba said he didn’t want Cannady to have to see the injury.
“I just saw my teammate was down, and I just did what he would probably do for me,” Bamba said to The Athletic. “I just thought quick and I didn’t want him to see (the injury). I just took my shirt off my back and gave it to him.”
ðð½ð https://t.co/jdWOC96hHe
— Devin Cannady (@devin_cannady3) April 26, 2021
Cannady was reportedly set for surgery on the limb on Sunday (Monday AEST)
Tyrone Corbin, who was standing in for Magic head coach Steve Clifford after he tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday, was still rocked by the injury after the 131-112 loss.
“Sickening. First, of all [Cannady] is a good guy who has worked his tail off to get better,” Corbin said. “It’s just sickening to see him go down like that. We’re praying for him.”
Edmond Sumner, the man Cannady was blocking on the play, said he couldn’t look at Cannady’s injury.
“I didn’t even want to look at him, I heard him scream, my leg was kind of tangled up with him,” he said. “I didn’t really know what to do. I knew something was wrong and I didn’t even want to look. It’s tough because his agent works for my agent so I already knew about him and that he’s just signed a two-way deal and for him to come in and for that to happen, it’s crazy and he’ll definitely be in my prayers.”
Social media was quick to send its well wishes after the horrific injury.
I witnessed Kevin Ware's injury back in 2013. All I can say is pray for Devin Cannady's leg. Whoa. And shout out to Mo Bamba for literally giving the shirt off his back to help his teammate. https://t.co/1eokiAyrX3
— Stephen Wiseman (@stevewisemanNC) April 26, 2021
Hate injuriesð
— Jusuf NurkiÄ (@bosnianbeast27) April 26, 2021
Praying for you Devin Cannady ðð»ðð» here for you
Prayers up to Devin Cannady. Hate to see it
— PJ Dozier (@Dozier_Kid) April 26, 2021
Prayers up for Devin Cannady --- that was a tough injury.
— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) April 26, 2021
Devin Cannady. Just...not fair. Thoughts to him. #Magic#MagicTogether
— Jon Alba (@JonAlba) April 26, 2021
Brutally, he also conceded a foul when the players got back on the court.