Michigan star Yaxel Lendeborg leaves Final Four clash with Arizona after sickening ankle injury
Michigan star forward Yaxel Lendeborg was forced out of Saturday's night's Final Four game against Arizona after suffering a sickening knee and ankle injury.Midway through the first-half, Lendeborg drove the lane and appeared to twist his ankle after planting his left foot on top of the shoe of Arizona's Motiejus Krivas.The 23-year-old initially smacked the floor in pain before managing to get back up to his feet, however he then doubled over in pain and was taken off the floor.He was walked down the tunnel to the Michigan locker room for further evaluation, before it was later revealed he had suffered an MCL sprain, as well as an ankle injury.Despite the severity of the injuries, Lendeborg made a return to the game and came back out for the second half, but was seen walking gingerly throughout the period.During a timeout, after making his return to the court, Lendeborg did not walk over to huddle with the rest of his teammates due to the injury. Michigan's Yaxel Lendeborg exited the Final Four in pain after driving the lane vs Arizona Lendeborg rolled his ankle on top of the foot of Arizona center Motiejus KrivasOn the broadcast, it was claimed that Lendeborg had been given the option over whether or not to return to the game.After the win over Arizona, Lendeborg came out and confirmed that he will feature in Monday's national championship game. He said: 'I'm going to push through, there's no way I miss the game on Monday night.'Lendeborg is the Wolverines' leader in points and steals and was a prize transfer to Michigan after spending last season at UAB.The timing of the injury hurt Michigan at the time. They were up 26-14 and the little positive momentum Arizona had carried them to cutting the deficit to five.But Michigan would go on an 18-7 run to end the first half and go to the locker room with a 48-32 lead.In the first game of the night, Dan Hurley's Huskies muscled their way back to the national title game with a 71-62 win over Illinois. UConn is looking for a third championship in four seasons.Tarris Reed Jr. had 17 points and 11 rebounds, while freshman Braylon Mullins scored 15 for the Huskies (34-5). It was UConn's' 19th straight victory in the Sweet 16 or later rounds of the NCAA Tournament.'I've got the best staff in the country. I've got an incredible group of players. And there's nothing like the bus ride to the stadium on Monday night when you're one of the last two teams standing,' Hurley said.'We're so ready for the national championship game,' Mullins added. 'This is what I came here for. Let's get it on Monday.'
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Michigan star Yaxel Lendeborg leaves Final Four clash with Arizona after sickening ankle injury
