Burgum suffered high-grade Achilles tear playing basketball, throwing debate participation into question

North Dakota governor and Republican presidential candidate Doug Burgum suffered a high-grade tear of his Achilles tendon while playing a game of pick-up basketball with his staff Tuesday, requiring him to be on crutches, according to a source familiar with the situation.

Burgum, 67, will attend the candidates’ walk-through of the debate event site Wednesday afternoon and then decide whether he’s physically able to participate in the debate itself, the source said.

Burgum is focused on the debate, the Republican Party’s first of this primary season, and understands that as much as he’d...