LAS VEGAS — Jordan Adams jump-started a come-from-behind win that sent UCLA to the Pac-12 tournament championship game, but when the final buzzer sounded, Adams winced in pain and limped off the court. Soon after, the freshman guard found out his season was over.
Adams said he broke his right foot after twisting it, without any other contact, while defending on the final play of the 66-64 semifinal win over Arizona. UCLA announced the official diagnosis as a broken fifth metatarsal bone. A team spokesman added that Adams broke the same foot while in high school.
Wildcats forward Solomon Hill used a pump fake on a three-point attempt to draw Adams in the air. Adams landed and immediately hobbled off the court as Hill missed a contested two-point shot that sealed UCLA’s win.
While icing his foot in the MGM Grand Garden Arena locker room immediately after the game, Adams didn’t think he had seriously injured his foot. After he was whisked away for X-rays that confirmed the break, he returned with his foot in a walking boot and applied no pressure to it, using crutches to walk.
Adams wasn’t emotional after hearing the news.
“Everything happens for a reason,” he said.
Adams had just turned in a heroic performance for the Bruins, who trailed by as many as 11 points in the second half against the Wildcats. At one point, he scored 13 straight points for UCLA. He finished with 24 points on six of 13 shots from the field and made 11 of 13 free throws.
UCLA advances to face the winner of the second semifinal between Oregon and Utah. The final, UCLA’s third game in three days, is Saturday at 8 p.m. and the winner will earn an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.
“The whole year, everybody in our starting five (increased) their level of play when another player was down,” Adams said. “We’re pretty deep. I have no doubt that my team will go out and win.”
The Bruins’ locker room, which was initially in a joyous mood, quickly turned somber.
“It’s tough to take in,” sophomore guard Norman Powell said. “He was out there trying to run someone off the 3-point line so they don’t (win) the game and then he breaks his foot. We’re not going to celebrate or be happy because one of our family members hurt themselves.”
Compiled by Ryan Menezes, Bruin Sports senior staff. With contributing reports from Sam Strong, Bruin Sports senior staff.