Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan star, leaves game vs. Arizona with injury
Yaxel Lendeborg appeared to turn his ankle when he stepped on the foot of an Arizona player.
Indianapolis — If Michigan wants to play for a national championship, it might have to do so without its best player. With 8:51 to play in the first half of a Final Four game against Arizona on Saturday night, Wolverines star Yaxel Lendeborg rolled his left ankle on a drive after he stepped on the foot of Arizona center Motiejus Krivas. After hitting two free throws, he subbed out of the game and headed down the tunnel with the help of a trainer.
More: Michigan vs. Arizona: Live updates Lendeborg’s pain showed immediately. After he got up from falling, he walked down the court, wincing, squatting to collect himself.
He tied his shoes tighter to boos from some Arizona fans before hitting his foul shots. Then he walked to the bench, down the stairs, past concerned teammates, before heading off to be evaluated. Arizona went on a 9-0 run after Lendeborg left the game.
Lendeborg returned to the Michigan bench, walking gingerly, with about six minutes left in the first half, but did not immediately return to the game. He then returned to the locker room before the end of the half. Lendeborg was the Big Ten Player of the Year and leads Michigan with 15.