San Antonio Spurs will have to resume the 2019/20 NBA season without their All-Star center LaMarcus Aldridge. The team announced on Monday that Aldridge underwent shoulder surgery and will have to sit out the remainder of the season.
Aldridge injured his shoulder in late February and was initially forced to miss six games. He returned to court on March 10th against Dallas Mavericks, scoring 24 points in a 119-109 win.
According to the team’s official statement, Aldridge is expected to make a full recovery in time to start the 2020/21 season.
Aldridge played 53 games with the Spurs this season, averaging 18.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.6 rebounds per game.
The news represents a big blow for San Antonio Spurs as the franchise tries to keep their impressive streak of postseason appearances alive. Spurs made it to the playoffs each season since 1998 but are facing an uphill battle to do it this year.
Before the season was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, Spurs were 12th in the West with 27-36 record and four games behind the last playoff spot. They will now have only eight regular-season games to catch eight-seeded Memphis Grizzlies, while three more teams (Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans, and Phoenix Suns) are trying to do the same.
