UCLA's Skyy Clark Undergoes Emergency Dental Surgery After Chipping Tooth in March Madness

The star guard revealed the gritty details of his late-night procedure to repair his damaged tooth during the NCAA Tournament.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 12:50am

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UCLA guard Skyy Clark suffered a chipped tooth during a March Madness game against UCF. Clark revealed he had to undergo emergency dental surgery, including having the nerve root removed and a temporary crown put in place. The incident underscored Clark's toughness, as he returned to the game after the injury and helped UCLA secure a 75-71 victory.

Why it matters

Skyy Clark's chipped tooth and subsequent emergency dental procedure highlights the physical toll that the intense NCAA Tournament can take on players. It also showcases Clark's determination to keep playing through injury, which has earned him praise from his UCLA teammates for his toughness and willingness to sacrifice his body for the team.

The details

After suffering the chipped tooth, Clark said he could feel the missing piece of his front tooth with his tongue. He had to undergo anesthesia and have the nerve and root of the tooth removed, with the dentist shaving down the tooth and putting in a temporary crown. The permanent replacement crown will be installed after the NCAA Tournament concludes.

  • On Friday night, March 17, 2026, Clark chipped his tooth during UCLA's NCAA Tournament game against UCF.
  • Immediately after the game, Clark underwent the emergency dental procedure to repair the damage.

The players

Skyy Clark

A star guard for the UCLA Bruins men's basketball team.

Trent Perry

A UCLA Bruins teammate of Skyy Clark.

Xavier Booker

A UCLA Bruins teammate of Skyy Clark.

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What they’re saying

“He's a dog. I feel like a lot of people, he doesn't really get hurt. The only time he gets hurt is when he pulled his hamstring. At the end of the day, he's a dog. He'll do everything for us to win.”

— Trent Perry, UCLA Bruins teammate

“What Trent said. Diving on the floor, that's who Skyy is every day.”

— Xavier Booker, UCLA Bruins teammate

What’s next

After the NCAA Tournament, Skyy Clark will get a permanent replacement crown installed for the chipped tooth.

The takeaway

Skyy Clark's toughness and willingness to play through pain has earned the respect of his UCLA teammates, who praise his dog-like mentality and commitment to doing whatever it takes to help the team win, even if it means undergoing emergency dental surgery in the middle of the NCAA Tournament.