INDIANAPOLIS — Just over 11 minutes into the first half of Michigan's national semifinal win over Arizona on Saturday, star forward Yaxel Lendeborg did a backflip in pain at the baseline, punctuating his fall by slamming his palms against the ground in frustration.
On a Final Four night virtually devoid of compelling theatrics, Lendeborg's brave return from suffering a sprained left collateral ligament and sprained left ankle gave Michigan's blowout a shot of adrenaline and drama.
Lendeborg played only 14 minutes as he got into foul trouble early and then twice retired to the locker room before halftime. The injuries occurred when he stepped on the right foot of Arizona's Motiejus Krivas on what he later called a reckless dunk attempt.
Through it all, Lendeborg finished with 11 points on just four shots in Michigan's 91-73 victory. He also promised that he will return to the court for the Wolverines in Monday night's national title game against UConn.
“I'll be on that court in that game,” he said.
From crying in the Michigan injury tent behind the bench to two trips to the locker room in the first half, Lendeborg spent a lot of time with coach Chris Williams. Lendeborg admitted that he was emotional because he saw everything he had worked for this season flash before his eyes.
However, once Williams examined him, the coach wasn't too concerned. He said the injury “presented” well, as there was limited swelling and it did not appear serious.
Williams told ESPN that he is “very confident” Lendeborg will play on Monday and emphasized that there will be intense treatment on the knee and ankle between now and kickoff.
“He could move into my room,” Williams told ESPN, catching one reporter laughing at the idea. “You're laughing, but you could move into my room. We have two beds in there, so we might have to find another room for my wife and son.”
After initially testing Lendeborg during Saturday's game, Williams said he was confident Lendeborg could return for the second half. His initial return to the court in the first half and quick exit to the locker room was a maneuver for practical purposes, according to Williams.
There were only about five minutes left in the first half, and Michigan assistant coach Mike Boynton said it made the most sense for Lendeborg to return to the locker room and receive more treatment to be ready for the second half.
Lendeborg returned to the court a few minutes before the second half began, a minute or two after his teammates returned to the court to warm up. He wore a compression sleeve over his left knee that he didn't use in the first half, and moved cautiously as he warmed up at midcourt.
After making a series of moves and having a brief conversation with coach Dusty May, Lendeborg started the second half for the Wolverines. He admitted to being limited, especially in defense, and seemed to alternate between smiles and grimaces of pain.
“I was very afraid to defend there,” Lendeborg said. “And once I did it a little bit, it didn't feel right.”
He added: “I didn't feel much pain in the sole. So I mean… when I play on Monday, I'll be a corner 3-point shooter.”
Lendeborg hit two second-half 3-pointers in four minutes, the second sending the Wolverines' lead to 22 points and drawing a giddy reaction from the Michigan assistant coaches on the bench.
“We knew both teams were pretty evenly matched,” Boynton said. “We felt like we had the best player. And at that time he was showing that he is the best player at 50% or whatever at that time.”
Lendeborg watched much of the second half on a stationary bike next to the Michigan bench. His halogen smile lit up after each basket, most noticeable from his high position.
Michigan's lead ballooned to 30, and when that lead was cut to 21 with 7:10 left, Lendeborg returned to the game. The Michigan staff checked with Williams, who said Lendeborg was fine to return.
May had a good reason for returning Lendeborg, saying he wasn't sure Michigan could “just put the kids to bed” at the time.
“Well, apparently you guys missed the UConn-Duke game,” May said, noting that the Blue Devils blew a 19-point lead against the Huskies.
Lendeborg's night started strangely when he committed two fouls five seconds apart in the first 90 seconds of the game. He came back and things got worse when he tried to jump to the rim about eight feet from the rim (“I was going to try to dunk it”) and his left foot landed on top of Krivas' right foot as he tried to explode.
Contact occurred in the middle of the lane, and Lendeborg's momentum launched him toward Arizona forward Koa Peat before he landed on his back near the baseline.
After somersaulting, he clearly looked in pain as he limped toward the middle of the court. When he reached midcourt, he let out a primal scream toward the roof of the Lucas Oil Stadum before leaning in and appearing to be processing the pain. After the foul on Krivas, he made both free throws and then left the game.
“I did my best to get up as quickly as possible to try not to live with the pain, try to push it away,” he said. “It wasn't abandoned, but you live what you learn, man. Next time [don’t] take off in front of three people.”
From the tent to the locker room (twice), to the floor and the bike, Lendeborg's night ended with him in an unconventional spot: sitting on the floor on the baseline next to photographers while Williams iced Lendeborg's knee and then wrapped it around his knee.
That was apparently the start of intense work to get Lendeborg as healthy as possible for Monday.
“Just 24 hours a day, 24 hours a day,” Williams said. “So there will be a lot of ice and compression, a lot of massage. We use a machine called a Hivamat Mat and another machine called a Class 4 laser, which will help with healing. So it will be a lot of treatment.”
