Despite Reinjuring Hand, Nick Ward Intends To Play Sunday Versus Duke 'No Matter What'

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Photo credit © Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Washington, D.C. -- Nick Ward went down hard, bracing the fall with his damaged left hand. He grimaced in pain as the team athletic trainer examined the injury, first on the floor and then on the bench on the bench, before the two of them disappeared down the tunnel for X-rays. Michigan State fans held their breath. 

Ward's left hand has been a concern since he injured it Feb. 17 versus Ohio State and needed to have it surgically repaired. He missed the final month of the regular season. He was just starting to put it behind him, and now this, a possible setback in the Sweet 16. 

It happened while Ward was trying to box out LSU center Naz Reid late in the second half of Michigan State's 80-63 win Friday night. Reid wound up undercutting Ward, who fell to the floor with a thud. His padded left hand smacked the court first. 

Fortunately for Ward and the Spartans, Tom Izzo said the X-rays came back negative. 

And Ward, who had his hand wrapped in ice in the locker room, said he has every intention to play Sunday against Duke in the Elite 8.

"Yes," he said, "no matter what."

In fact, the thought he might miss the game never crossed his mind, not even when he was writhing in pain beneath the basket. 

"Nah," he said, before reiterating, "no matter what, I'm playing Sunday."

Izzo said it's likely a bone bruise. Ward said he's "fine." He'll probably have to go back to wearing the bigger pad on his hand that he was able to ditch before Friday's game. 

In about 16 minutes of action against LSU, Ward put up four points, five rebounds and three blocks. The 6'9 junior was a key presence inside against the big, physical frontcourt of LSU. 

His three blocks came in the span of 47 seconds midway through the second half to keep the Tigers at bay. 

"That block Nick had when they were making that run and then he Bill Russelled it -- he blocked it and he got the ball -- that was big for us," Izzo said. "And I thought Nick would need to have a big game. Some of the matchups were a little tough.

"But we're going to need Nick whoever we play, and hopefully he'll be able to come back. I don't know any more than that right now. I'm sure it's day to day. There's no break or serious injury. It's just how bad it's bruised, and on his shooting hand could create a few problems, I guess. The good news is that it's not broken."

Friday marked Ward's sixth game since returning. He's averaging 5.8 points and 4.0 rebounds in 13.2 minutes of action during that span, while coming off the bench. He was Michigan State's starting big man before the injury. 

That role now belongs to Xavier Tillman, who has blossomed with more opportunity. He's averaging 13.4 points and 8.0 rebounds in 11 games since Ward's injury. 

Tillman will likely draw the task of guarding Duke superstar Zion Williamson.