The Portland Trail Blazers were dealt a serious blow in their win over the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night.
Jusuf Nurkic, their starting center and one of their key players, left the court on a stretcher during Portland’s victory. He suffered a compound left tibia and fibia fracture.
The Blazers announced on Tuesday that Nurkic will be out for the rest of the season and the playoffs.
The injury occurred when Nurkic jumped for an offensive rebound in the second overtime period of Portland’s 148-144 win.
Although their win clinched a playoff spot for Portland, there was no celebration. The team was too distraught after Nurkic’s gruesome injury.
This injury deals a rough blow to the Blazers as they prepare to begin the playoffs. As of now, they have a 46-27 record and are in 4th place in the conference, thanks in large part to Nurkic.
The Bosnian big man averaged 15.6 points per game and 10.4 rebounds per game in 72 games this season.
Portland’s top option to replace Nurkic in what is left of the season will be former Thunder and Knicks center Enes Kanter.
It remains to be seen how the Trail Blazers will fare after this tragic injury.
