As of Wednesday morning, UCLA’s next opponent was unknown. On paper, the No. 2-ranked Bruins were waiting for Colorado to defeat Washington and advance to the Pac-12 Conference Tournament quarterfinals at noon Thursday in Las Vegas.
In theory, UCLA’s toughest opponent is much more important than any team it will face this week, even if it means facing Arizona in the conference tournament final for the second consecutive season.
UCLA is up against the clock. Time is all that can help the Pac-12 regular-season champions find a new identity without Clark, who was hurt in Saturday’s victory over Arizona and is reportedly out for the season with an Achilles injury, according to Jeff Goodman of Stadium.
“Jaylen Clark has a lower-leg injury,” UCLA coach Mick Cronin told reporters Tuesday morning. “That’s all I’m authorized to say. He’s out this week. He will not travel with us to Las Vegas.”
Clark left UCLA’s game against Arizona early in the second half. The junior guard was backpedaling on defense when he winced and reached down for his right foot area. He was helped off the court and into the tunnel before coming back out to join his team on the bench with crutches and a walking boot on his right foot.
UPDATE: Jaylen Clark returns to the floor, but with crutches and a boot on his right foot. pic.twitter.com/SS2zuAG4QD
— Tarek Fattal (@Tarek_Fattal) March 5, 2023
There has been swirling speculation about Clark’s injury, whether the injury is to his Achilles or toe, and whether it’s an injury that will sideline him for the rest of the season. With news about Clark’s injury out there, that makes time UCLA’s biggest opponent this week, especially with the Bruins’ overall seed in the NCAA Tournament looming.
Neither Cronin nor the team’s spokesperson has confirmed Clark is out for the year, but without the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, UCLA is a different team, which could impact its seeding in the NCAA Tournament if it…
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