TJ Leaf signaled that he was probably down to stay when he slapped the court in anguish with his right hand only moments after falling along the baseline. His other hand grabbed his left ankle, the source of his discomfort.
UCLA Coach Steve Alford walked over and tenderly placed his hand on his star power forward’s chest before patting him. Leaf could only grimace.
The third-ranked Bruins were in need of consolation after their leading scorer sprained his ankle less than five minutes into an otherwise largely meaningless 98-66 victory over Washington on Wednesday night at Pauley Pavilion.