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Michigan State starting forward to miss next two games with non-displaced wrist fracture

Branden Dawson, Brandon Nazione

Branden Dawson, Brandon Nazione

AP

After originally diagnosing senior forward Branden Dawson with a sprained left wrist, Michigan State announced more details regarding his injury on Thursday. Per a release from the school Dawson suffered a stable, non-displaced fracture of his left wrist.

As a result Dawson, who leads the team with an average of 8.7 rebounds per game, will miss the Spartans’ final two non-conference games. The hope is that Dawson will be ready to go when Michigan State begins Big Ten play December 30 against league newcomer Maryland.

“I feel bad for Branden, as he’s been practicing so well over the last few weeks,” Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo said in the release. “But we also feel a bit fortunate when you look at the video from the game - it certainly could have been worse. BJ has been a quick healer in the past, and we anticipate this being the same.”

Dawson suffered the injury with 15:30 remaining in the second half of Michigan State’s 66-46 win over Eastern Michigan, as he braced his fall on a dunk attempt. Dawson did not return to the game but he was on the bench for the final nine minutes or so with his left wrist wrapped in ice.

Michigan State’s final two non-conference games are against Texas Southern and The Citadel, and they’ll be heavily favored in both. Wednesday night also marked the season debut of 6-foot-5 freshman forward Javon Bess, a player who can help the Spartans in the high post and as a rebounder. Bess, who was sidelined with a broken fifth metatarsal in his right foot, scored just one point in the game but he did grab five rebounds in nine minutes of action.

Bess is one of two freshmen in the Michigan State front court rotation, with Marvin Clark Jr. being the other, with power forward Gavin Schilling being a starter and Matt Costello serving as his backup.

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