Portland Trail Blazers star center Jusuf Nurkic suffered a gruesome leg injury last night in which he broke his left tibia and fibula during the game’s second overtime the team announced Tuesday morning. As of now, there is no timetable on the big man’s return.
“Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic sustained compound fractures to his left tibia and fibula with 2:22 remaining in the second overtime of Portland’s win over Brooklyn on Monday. There is no timetable for his return to basketball activity. His status will be updated as appropriate.”
Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that Nurkic underwent a successful surgery today.
Portland’s Jusuf Nurkic underwent season-ending surgery today on compound fractures, and some positive news: No nerve or muscle damage in his leg, league sources said. He is out indefinitely.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 26, 2019
Before the injury, Nurkic was having the best season of his young career. He was averaging career highs of15.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists and a career-high true shooting percentage of 57 percent. He also recorded a career-high in double-doubles with 36.
This is just the latest injury to plague the Blazers’ roster. Last week, the team lost its starting shooting guard, CJ McCollum, to a popliteus strain in his left knee.
The Trail Blazers currently sit as the fourth-seed in the Western Conference with a 46-27 record. As for Nurkic, players from around the NBA had words of encouragement for their fallen comrade.
Never, never give up, my man Jusuf Nurki?…. I know it’s hard … but you’ll come back to play … I’ll wait for you !!!! pic.twitter.com/uLIIODzNfX
— danilo gallinari (@gallinari8888) March 26, 2019
Prayers up for #nurkic. You will be back stronger than ever! ????
— Victor Oladipo (@VicOladipo) March 26, 2019
Prayers to go out to @bosnianbeast27!!!! You hate to see injuries like that.. Health is bigger then basketball.. I know hell make a speedy recovery and come back better! ??????
— Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) March 26, 2019
Nurkic??
— DeMarcus Cousins (@boogiecousins) March 26, 2019
Hate this part of the game. Prayers up for Nurkic!
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) March 26, 2019
?? nurkic!!
— Luka Doncic (@luka7doncic) March 26, 2019
Prayers up for Nurkic!!! ??????
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) March 26, 2019
