----- Jusuf Nurkic suffers season-ending leg injury in Monday night's win over the Brooklyn Nets.
Jusuf Nurkic suffered fractures to his left tibia and fibula with 2:22 left in the second overtime of Monday's 148-144 win over the Brooklyn Nets. Nurkic will miss the remainder of the season and no timetable has been set for his return to basketball related activities.
Nurkic was injured when his leg buckled while battling for an offensive rebound. He was removed from the court on a stretcher surrounded by teammates. Nurkic was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation.
Before he suffered the injury, Nurkic was having one of the best games in his career. He finished the night with 32 points, 16 rebounds, five assists, and four blocks. Nurkic has played in 72 games this season (all starts) averaging 15.6 points and 10.4 rebounds per game.
The injury to Nurkic created a very somber mood for both teams in the locker room.
''It made me sick to my stomach,'' Damian Lillard said of Nurkic's injury. ''As I was walking over there, I saw everyone else turn around real quick and walk away, and then I look and I saw his leg.''
''That's what our guys are talking about in the locker room,'' Nets coach Kenny Atkinson said. ''Not the game or the loss. They're talking about a player who was having a great game and a heck of a player so you just pray it's not a long-term thing and he can bounce back. It just takes the wind out of your sails.''
“I’m going to go home and pray for him because this is way bigger than basketball,” Enes Kanter said. “We clinched a playoff spot and we’re not even celebrating. He was a big part of our family — not our team, our family — and I just don’t know what to say. It’s definitely tough.”
Up Next- The Trail Blazers begin a four-game road trip Wednesday in Chicago against the Bulls. The game is scheduled to tip off at 5:00 PM.
Chad's Take- The season ended when Nurk went crashing to the floor. Devastating injury. I have attended hundreds of games at Moda Center over the years and tonight was by far the worst night I have experienced. Jusuf Nurkic is my favorite player in the NBA. I love his style, his attitude, and the toughness he has brought to this team. His improved play is a product of the time and hard work he has put in at the practice facility with his coaches and teammates. He reshaped his body and was playing the best basketball of his career.
I encourage all of you to pray for Nurkic. He is going to face some difficult times as he begins the road to recovery. This is going to require time and patience. It will be tough for him to come to terms with the injury while being away from the team.