Minnesota Timberwolves rookie Jaylen Clark was making the most of his second career start on Sunday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Despite the Timberwolves falling 123-130, Clark’s early performance had been a bright spot until a hard fall raised concerns about his health.
The incident occurred midway through the third quarter, with the Timberwolves leading 82-78. Clark stole the ball from the Thunder’s Jalen Williams and was sprinting downcourt for a fast break opportunity. As he went for the layup, he collided with Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein.
The impact caused Clark to stumble awkwardly and land hard on the back of his head. The arena went silent as Clark lay motionless for a moment before managing to get up. He was immediately taken to the locker room for evaluation and later ruled out for the remainder of the game due to neck pain.
UPDATE: Jaylen Clark is headed to the locker room. https://t.co/cfgviMsHQX
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 24, 2025
The Timberwolves have yet to release an official update on the severity of the injury. Yet, there is speculation that Clark may have suffered a concussion. His exit was a major blow to the team, especially considering the energy and defensive presence he brought before the injury.
In just 17 minutes on the court, Clark tallied 14 points on an efficient 6-for-7 shooting, including two perfect shots from beyond the arc. He also contributed four steals and a rebound.
Jaylen Clark’s Climb In Timberwolves Rotation Hits Roadblock With Injury Exit
Jaylen Clark’s journey to this moment has been noteworthy. After being drafted as the 53rd overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Clark signed a two-way contract with the Timberwolves. Nevertheless, he couldn’t play a single game in his rookie season.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NBA stories via Google! Follow Us
This year, Clark has slowly worked his way into the rotation, appearing in 15 games and averaging 4.5 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game. Sunday’s performance hinted at the kind of impact he could have if given more opportunities.
The Timberwolves and their fans will now anxiously await further updates on Clark’s condition. While the team suffered a tough loss to the Thunder, the bigger concern remains the health of their promising rookie, who was just beginning to find his footing in the league.
