Spurs big man Jakob Poeltl underwent an MRI on Sunday that revealed a right MCL sprain, the team announced in a press release. The injury will likely force Poeltl to miss multiple weeks of action.
No concrete timetable was issued by the team, but Poeltl wrote on social media that he expects to miss roughly two-to-four weeks.
“As today’s examination showed, I suffered a grade 2 MCL strain of the right knee,” he wrote. “I will presumably miss the next two to four weeks. Since knee injuries can be very severe, I’m happy that I didn’t sustain a more serious injury.
“Nevertheless, this is an annoying situation. We’re in the midst of a very important phase, which is why every missed game hurts twice as much. I hope to be back on the floor as soon as possible.”
Poeltl, 24, exited the team’s game on Saturday with a bruised right knee after playing just four minutes. He’s averaged 5.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 16.6 minutes in 58 games this season, starting in 10 of those contests.
The Spurs originally acquired Poeltl as part of the trade that landed Kawhi Leonard in Toronto and DeMar DeRozan in San Antonio back in 2018. The team is already playing without LaMarcus Aldridge, who is currently listed as day-to-day with a shoulder injury.
Poeltl was the No. 9 pick in 2016, showing capable talent on both ends of the floor at 7’1″. San Antonio is 3-7 in its last ten games and will host Indiana on Monday.
Spurs seriously lack depth in the front court.
Spurs lacking more than that. Should of traded Lenard for something more significant.
They needed to trade derozan, wasnt a fan of what they got back for leonard, but i figured if they ended up flipping derozan and walked away with 2 1st they may save some face (or the more likely 1st and maybe a young rotation player they favor). I heard rumors earlier this year that the magic may have been interested in derozan, or at least an upgrade at the wing. Now theres a team whose pick id love to own down the line. Or two. Seems it could just as easily be pick 5-10 as it could be 14-19 in any given year. But alas no move, perhaps they have good inclinations on his player option decision? Hopefully so, and either they trade him next year if theyre in a similar spot (or worse) or theyre much improved and can justify losing him for nothing in FA with a more spurs esque season.
This deadline wasn’t a good deadline for moves to be made, give the difficulty in matching contracts and what not. Probably a better chance of them moving him and/or Aldridge over the summer.
The Spurs might reject a trade that netted them future considerations, since they want to keep the playoff string alive. Or at least Popovich does, an international coach now.
Anyway that reduces what can be offered for a Spurs player, in an unusual way– usually teams want draft picks.
The Leonard trade didn’t happen in 2017.
Good catch, that’s been fixed.