The Utah Jazz's chance to qualify for the Western Conference playoffs took a hit after point guard Dante Exum suffered a torn left ACL. 

Exum, the No. 5 pick in the 2014 NBA draft, was playing for Australia in an exhibition against Slovenia when he landed awkwardly after driving to the basket, according to Yahoo Sports. The Australian national team was preparing for the FIBA Oceania Championship.

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The 20-year-old guard is seen as an integral piece to helping the Jazz have the NBA's No. 1 defense and sixth-best record after the All-Star break.

The Jazz posted a 25-16 win-loss record with Exum as starting point guard.

Exum averaged a mere 4.8 points, 2.4 assists and 1.6 boards in just 22.2 minutes per game.

He also shot an unimpressive 34.9 percent from the field, 31.4 percent from the 3-point line and 62.5 percent from the free throw line.

However, Exum's quickness, foot speed, length and agility allowed him harass opposing guards and gave the  Jazz the NBA's stingiest defense after the All-Star break.

Jazz radio commentator David Locke commented that losing Exum for a long period could derail the development and timetable of a Jazz team on the rise, fueled by a corps of young talent under coach Quin Snyder.

Grantland's Zach Lowe feels that Exum is done for the entire 2015-16 season.

Exum has since returned to Salt Lake City for further evaluation, which confirmed the torn ACL and the necessity of undergoing surgery.

Jazz general manager Dennis Lindsey said that the team is continuing to work in order to reach an "accurate diagnosis and recommended treatment."

There was no timeline given for Exum's return, although the typical recovery period for an ACL surgery is at around six months. 

Exum's injury is also expected to revive arguments about the risks NBA players are having in suiting up for their national teams.

The Jazz still have about $6.7 million in salary cap space they could use to nab a veteran point guard, but it remains to be seen how they could recover from Dante Exum's torn ACL. 

TagsUtah Jazz, Western Conference playoffs, Dante Exum, torn acl