The Trail Blazers announced during the fourth quarter of Thursday’s game against the Pacers that Jusuf Nurkic will not return to the court, having suffered a right wrist fracture (Twitter link).
While it’s not 100% clear how the injury occurred, Nurkic appeared to come up holding his wrist after a defensive possession in which he swiped at the ball with his right hand, blocked a Myles Turner shot attempt, and then fell to the floor (video link via NBC Sports Northwest).
The Blazers haven’t offered much info yet on the severity of Nurkic’s injury, how it’ll be treated, or how much time he might miss. However, it seems safe to assume that he’ll be sidelined for the foreseeable future, whether or not he requires surgery on his wrist.
It’s an unfortunate turn of events for Portland’s 26-year-old starting center, who missed nearly the entire 2019/20 season due to a major leg injury. This season, Nurkic had been averaging 10.3 PPG, 7.6 RPG, and 2.8 APG in 11 games (23.6 MPG) entering Thursday’s action.
With Nurkic and fellow big man Zach Collins (ankle) on the shelf, the team figures to lean more heavily on big men Enes Kanter and Harry Giles. The Blazers have an open spot on their 15-man roster, as well as an open two-way contract slot, so they could consider signing another center for depth purposes.
They should sign Tarik Black. Am I crazy for thinking that?
No not at all lol
Too late, he just signed with Saint Petersburg.
damn. good for him.
Literally just signed with a Russian team yesterday. He had a couple decent seasons w/ the Lakers n that was that. Bet they bring in Dedmon, i’m surprised noones picked him up yet.
They gotta find another big who is available that more defensive minded. They don’t really have it what is on their roster at the 5 spot.
maybe give dedmon another chance as a starter? hes a reliable 3andD 5. his play ios similar to their old buddy whiteside but more floor spacing and three point shot. plus hes a vet and hes been bouncing from da warriors to a second stint with da hawks
You can fight the Warriors to Sign one of the following first:
– Dewayne Dedmon
– Willie Reed
– John Henson
– Kyle O’Quinn
– Tyler Zeller
– Ian Mahinmi
Would love to see Willie Reed get another shot in the league
If only they didn’t let go the better player, Whiteside, keeping the lesser one which is getting seriously injured for the 3rd season in a row!
Oh well POR might still make their goal of getting in the play-in, like last year, they are quite good at that, right?
The beard is free so you gonna start trolling now lmao
I know facts are such an annoying thing, right?
Easier for you to call me a troll than to proof that Nurkic doesn’t get seriously injured every single year… & even when he plays he ain’t at Whiteside’s level!
You might agree or disagree… I don’t care either way, the numbers don’t lie 16/14 from Whiteside to 10/8 Nurkic, bottom line if you don’t agree with someone it doesn’t mean they are trolling, you might have to consider that you might be wrong… but again I am sure you won’t!
So have a happy trolling life with someone else as I am done, stick a fork in me!
lmao, u attack us every time we criticize a specific post like wtf, who goes around saying they own a bunch of real estate in ppls headf and saying how we all retarded just cuz we hate despite da fact that ur showed us how hating is wrong and inappropriate by hating too. btw im pretty sure whiteside left cuz he wanted a bigger role. sure sure he may be a double double machine, however, he doesnt have a jumpshot. tbh their defense wasnt even worse last year when nurkic was out.
Kanter will have to do. This injury year is crazy man. Just doesn’t stop. At least he should be back this yr. Yeah they should sign another C.
I’m just waiting for some sort of apocalypse. Tough blow for the Blazers, though.
sure. but they could find a more of a defensive specialist on da market cuz kanter is a liability on defense. nurkic’s injury gives nassir more mins tho.
The Bosnian Chandelier