Jalen Brunson leaves Mavs’ Game 3 vs. Jazz with apparent back injury after controversial hit

The Mavericks had little to worry about while dominating the Utah Jazz in the first half of Game 3 on Thursday night.

Until Jalen Brunson went down. While the Mavs’ leading scorer in the series ultimately returned to start the second half, his first-half absence was a reason for concern for Dallas.

As Jazz guard Mike Conley swished a 3-pointer with five minutes left in the second quarter, Brunson waited near the paint, preparing for the Mavericks to start their next offensive possession.

But before Conley’s shot fell through the hoop, Jazz forward Royce O’Neale forcefully shoved Brunson in the back with his elbow.

Brunson lay on the court for a few moments before a teammate came to help him up. The Mavericks’ top guard with Luka Doncic still rehabbing a left calf strain, Brunson struggled to stand before limping across the court, holding his lower back.

After the Mavericks missed their next shot, Brunson intentionally fouled the Jazz to stop play so he could check out.

As he walked gingerly to the bench, officials whistled Brunson for a technical foul, just the second unsportsmanlike call he’s triggered since his junior year of high school.

Brunson, who tallied 15 points on 6 of 9 shooting before leaving at the 4:38 mark in the second quarter, walked to the locker room with the Mavericks’ training staff and did not return before halftime.

Officials did not call O’Neale for a foul against Brunson, but many on social media reacted in surprise to the egregious nature of the contact.

The Mavs led 68-51 at halftime lead despite Brunson’s brief absence.

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