(AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
One of the challengers for the Northwest Division crown just lost a key part.
Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward suffered a broken and dislocated left ring finger and could miss up to six weeks, according to a report from Jody Genessey of the Deseret News.
Hayward averaged a team-high 19.7 points last season along with 5.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists. The Jazz signed veterans Joe Johnson and Boris Diaw in the offseason and were expected to challenge the Portland Trail Blazers and Oklahoma City Thunder for the top spot in the Northwest Division.