Bucks' Jabari Parker to miss remainder of season with torn ACL
Update: The Milwaukee Bucks confirmed the news that Parker will undergo surgery for a torn ACL and is expected to miss the remainder of the season.
Jabari Parker's knee injury turned out to be a worst-case scenario.
The Milwaukee Bucks' rookie is expected to miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL in his left knee, according to multiple reports.
A date for surgery hasn't been set yet, according to Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski, who said Parker informed his teammates Tuesday night about the injury through text messages.
Parker, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft, injured the knee in Monday's win over the Phoenix Suns after his leg buckled on him following a drive to the basket.
X-rays came back negative but the Bucks sent Parker back to Milwaukee for an MRI and the team's fears over significant ligament damage were realized.
Parker's impressive inaugural campaign will end after 25 contests.
The 19-year-old product out of Duke University started every game for the Bucks, averaging 12.3 points on 49 percent shooting, while adding 5.5 rebounds in 29.5 minutes per game.
Parker was an early favorite for the NBA's Rookie of the Year award. He ranked second among rookies in scoring - behind No. 1 overall pick Andrew Wiggins - third in PER (14.90) and fourth in usage rate (19.1).
The small forward had been a key contributor for the playoff-hopeful Bucks, playing much-improved basketball under first-year head coach Jason Kidd.
Milwaukee won 13 of its first 25 games, a season after going 15-67.
Parker was rewarded for the strong start to his career by earning Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month honors for October/November.