Suns guard Isaiah Canaan’s gruesome injury shocked teammates, inspired prayers

Biloxi's Isaiah Canaan suffered one of those gruesome injuries that all athletes fear Wednesday night.

The Phoenix Suns guard was fouled as he made a move to the basket during a game against the Dallas Mavericks in Phoenix. He landed awkwardly on his left foot, fracturing his ankle.

The severity of the injury was immediately obvious as Canaan sat on the court with his left foot pointing in the wrong direction. Fans groaned, covered their eyes and looked away.

Players and coaches from both teams expressed shock over the injury. Moss Point product Devin Booker, a teammate of Canaan's with the Suns, covered his face and was consoled by coaches on the bench. Phoenix big man Tyson Chandler shook his head in disbelief.

Suns team doctor Tom Carter put the foot and ankle back into place and said afterward that Canaan never expressed that he was in pain, according to The Associated Press.

Canaan was placed on a stretcher and wheeled off the court.

The Suns picked up Canaan on Dec. 13 to provide help in the backcourt while Booker was sidelined for three weeks with an abductor muscle injury. On Jan. 7, he was awarded a contract for the remainder of the season.

Canaan was averaging 8.6 points and 3.8 assists this year for the Suns as a backup point guard.

Players from across the NBA reacted to the injury to Canaan, who has also played for the Bulls, Rockets and 76ers.

This story was originally published February 1, 2018 at 10:30 AM with the headline "Suns guard Isaiah Canaan’s gruesome injury shocked teammates, inspired prayers."