Bucks forward Jabari Parker has once again suffered a torn ACL, head coach Jason Kidd confirmed today (Twitter link). According to the team, Parker will require surgery and will undergo a 12-month rehabilitation process to recover from the injury, which was first reported by ESPN’s Zach Lowe (Twitter link). It’s the second injury of this kind for Parker, who had most of his rookie season wiped out by a torn ACL.
The news is a devastating blow for the Bucks and for Parker, who had been enjoying a breakout season in 2016/17. In 51 games, the former second overall pick averaged 20.1 PPG for Milwaukee, setting career-highs in several other categories as well, including RPG (6.1), APG (2.8), FG% (.490), and 3PT% (.365).
Parker, who turns 22 next month, will certainly miss the rest of this season and also seems likely to be sidelined for the first half of the 2017/18 campaign. A 12-month rehab process would put him on track to return next February.
In addition to creating a major hole on the court for the Bucks, Parker’s ACL tear will also complicate off-court matters for the two sides. The former Duke standout will be eligible for a rookie scale contract extension during the 2017 offseason, but it will be difficult for Milwaukee to make a significant long-term commitment while Parker is still recovering from his second major knee injury. If Parker doesn’t sign an extension during the offseason, he’d be just a few months away from potential restricted free agency when he returns to the court next year.
It remains to be seen how the Bucks will split up the available minutes with Parker out of action for the rest of this season, but power forwards like Michael Beasley and Mirza Teletovic are good bets to see increased roles. Khris Middleton‘s return from a groin injury should help patch up the rotation as well. Middleton made his season debut on Wednesday in the same game that Parker tore his ACL.
I feel bad for Jabari. One has to wonder how this may affect the teams longterm plans for him.
They honestly can’t catch a break. I root for the bucks every year. Such a shame. And a reacurring injury? Not gonna bode well in contract negotiations for him in the future and it’s a shame because he’s a tremendous talent.
pg-knight gone
sg-middleton too soon to say how injury affects him
sf-giannis solid
pf-jabari career probably over
c-Sanders retired
I don’t think jabari can come back after two acl tears
You just put solid for Giannis lol dude is going to be a top player in the league in a few years.
Top 5*
I didn’t want to be a “homer”
Players careers are not “probably over after a torn ACL ” they just return from injury the following year after a year of rehab. They just lose a year of development
Actually it is… at least the good part of there career. Look at Derrick Rose after his knee injuries. Still a good player but not as much of a contributor as he once was same with almost every player who has to go through knee injuries.
That being said, I feel like part of Rose’s issues have been mentally. When he attacks, he plays well, and you still see glimpses of his old self, but there are nights where it’s like he isn’t going as hard in certain areas
Obviously you’ve never heard of Eric Bledsoe. Noob.
That just sucks!
Oh my gosh… I would start either Maker or Beasley over Mirza.
Trade for Serge Ibaka
As a heat fan, I was watching this game last night, and the play literally looked exactly the same as the first time he tore his ACL, so we knew it was another bad injury. I was pretty upset b/c you just never want to see anyone get injured, especially someone like that, and especially when you’ve experienced multiples of the same injury yourself. My knee injuries changed my whole life. Jabari is still young. I really hope he can still come back strong. He was looking so good. He had changed his body, and gotten a lot stronger and a lot more explosive. He also really improved his outside jumpshot. Having been about 18 months or so removed from the previous injury, I thought he was about to really take off, and was excited to see him moving forward. I hope this injury doesn’t rob us of a great young player in this league. As an NBA fan, this hurts all of us
Well spoken and appreciated, a true NBA fan. Lets hope Jabari’s youth will help him on his long journey to recovery.
Career. Done.
He will be back but will just be another guy now. Nothing special.
Can I have some lottery numbers too?
Want investment advice? Spend your lifetime savings on Tom Brady gear and keep it in mint condition.
You’re welcome, I just made you billions.
How old are you? 13?
13 models living with me at my crib.
I guess you’ve never heard of Eric Bledsoe either.
He’s a bum.