Jazz’s Keyonte George Likely Out Of Most Improved Race Due To Injury

An injury may have ended Keyonte George’s chances at a major award.

The Jazz guard is not expected to have his hamstring strain reevaluated for another week and a half, which makes it extremely unlikely he will reach the NBA’s 65-game requirement for Most Improved Player consideration.

George has appeared in 54 games, though one of those does not count toward the minimum because he logged fewer than 15 minutes. That means he would need to return next Saturday and play in Utah’s final 12 games to qualify.

That scenario appears unlikely.

Coach Will Hardy previously indicated the team will prioritize George’s health over any awards chase, according to Kevin Reynolds of the Salt Lake Tribune.

“I would like to get Keyonte 65,” Hardy said earlier this month. “But we’re going to choose the health of our organization and our players over chasing awards.”

Even without the eligibility, George has taken a major step forward this season.

The 22-year-old is averaging career highs of 23.6 points, 6.1 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 45.6 percent from the field, 37.1 percent from three and 89.2 percent at the line.

George will become eligible for a rookie-scale extension in July.