Michael Gallagher: Neil Olshey said Jusuf Nurkic could be out until February.
Storyline: Jusuf Nurkic Injury
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President Neil Olshey said Jusuf Nurkic (leg) could be out until February. The update comes on NBATV with Olshey giving an interview, but he didn’t provide much else on Nurkic.
Olshey said Nurkic is “making great progress” from his broken left leg, suffered March 25 in a game against Brooklyn, however he was reluctant to place any timetable on the center’s return next season. “So far, he’s on a great trajectory in terms of returning to play … but we are not going to sacrifice anything in his recovery and (physical therapy) just to get him on the court faster,” Olshey said. If I were to guess, the target date for Nurkic to return would be late January, early February, meaning the Blazers will have to play more than half of the season without their standout center.
“He’s making great progress,” Olshey said. “Guys can’t believe where he is relative to what they saw only four weeks ago. He is a core piece to this roster, a foundational piece going forward, and we are going to drive him. But also knowing we are going to do what’s best for Nurk on a long-term basis in terms of his recovery and his timeline.”
The Trail Blazers staved off elimination Thursday night at the Moda Center. But when they board the team plane to head to Denver on Saturday afternoon ahead of Game 7, the guy who wants to be there the most likely won’t be on the flight. “It’s ridiculous,” Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic said almost scoffing at the challenge of watching his team play the biggest games of the season while he is forced to watch from the sidelines. “But I gotta take it. For me, it’s harder when you’re out there (on the bench) and not out there (in the game). When you’re watching and you actually just can only watch as a fan, it makes even harder.”
Harrison Wind: Classy gesture from Nikola Jokic on former teammate Jusuf Nurkic, who’s Nuggets’ tenure ended ugly: “I’m really happy to see Nurk healthy…for me it’s really nice to see him walking by himself in such a short period.” pic.twitter.com/roxjSV292x
Jusuf Nurkic: THANK YOU to everyone who has reached out to me and sent their well wishes and prayers to me after my injury. I greatly appreciate the support. I want to send a special thanks to my teammates, the Trail Blazer organization, the RIP City fans, my coaches, the team trainers and doctors who have helped me these last few days. I will work hard during my recovery and am looking forward to getting back healthy and on the court and rejoining my teammates. I will be rooting them on during the playoffs. Thanks again to #RIPCity for all the love and support.
Brooke Olzendam: Want to share that @trailblazers team health & performance staff were by @bosnianbeast27’s side at the hospital post injury. Dame and CJ were among the players to visit Nurk in the hospital. Neil Olshey visited him, too. Nurk’s first words to Neil: “At least we won the game.” ❤️
Paul George said he was the only Thunder player who didn’t have to look away when Portland center Jusuf Nurkic suffered a gruesome leg injury Monday. The team was on the plane from Memphis to OKC that night, when Nurkic suffered a compound fracture of his left tibia and fibula. The broadcast showed his lower leg hanging at an unnatural angle. George sustained a similar injury in 2014. “I wish the best for Nurkic,” George said Wednesday after practice. “Through this time it’s hard, it’s tough, but as I’ve been through it, his best days are ahead of them.”
The Thunder and Nurkic have history. In the most recent chapter of the saga, Russell Westbrook body-checked Nurkic after he thought the Portland big man tried to trip him. Later in the game, George and Nurkic got in an altercation when Nukic thought George hit him in the face. “Me and Nurkic and this program and Nurkic, a couple of us aren’t the fondest of Nurkic,” George said, “but in this moment I send my best. I don’t wish that on anybody, and I think everybody should rally behind him. As a brotherhood and as a fraternity being in the NBA, all of that stuff goes out the window when you see somebody go down.”
Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic underwent surgery today to repair the lower left leg injury he sustained in Monday’s game versus Brooklyn, it was announced today by president of basketball operations Neil Olshey.
While Nurkic is expected to make a full recovery, there is no timetable for his return to basketball activity. His status will be updated as appropriate.
Shams Charania: 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.
Michael Singer: Michael Malone on Jusuf Nurkic: “You never want to see that happen, but for a guy that was a part of our family, I reached out to Terry Stotts. I feel awful for Jusuf. And hopefully that team can bounce back.”
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson: 🙏🏽🙏🏽 say a prayer for @Jusuf Nurkic May Allah be with you on your road to recovery
Jalen Brunson: Praying for Nurkic! 🙏🏽🙏🏽
Victor Oladipo: Prayers up for #nurkic. You will be back stronger than ever! 💪🏿🙏🏿
Mario Hezonja: So sad and unfortunate! Glavu gore brate moj, vraćaš se još bolji!! 🙏🏻❤️🇧🇦 @Jusuf Nurkic
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.
With 2:22 left in the second overtime period, Nurkic missed on a putback attempt and landed awkwardly, leading to his left leg bending in terrible fashion. A foul was called on the play, and after a moment players from both teams began signaling for trainers. Some sprinted away after realizing the severity of the injury. The injury was so jarring, the first people to reach Nurkic draped a towel over his leg to cover it from view. His leg was put in an air cast, and Nurkic was stretchered to the locker room. There was no immediate word on the details of the injury, but Nurkic will assuredly miss the remainder of the season. Blazers coach Terry Stotts called the injury “devastating.”
Isaiah Thomas: Praying for you hard right now Nurkic, Gods got you! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Robert Covington: Damn I hate to see stuff like that. Prayers up for Nurkic!!! 🙏🏽
Enes Kanter: Prayers up for my brother @Jusuf Nurkic 🙏😔 pic.twitter.com/Xa6XtUIr0X
Brian Lewis: Ex- #TrailBlazer Ed Davis on Nurkic injury: “Nurk is a good friend. When he came to New York, me we went to dinner. We were not just teammates. He was having a hell of a year, helping his team out a lot. It’s just tough. It’s sad.” #Nets @Ed Davis
Eddie Johnson: So sorry to hear about @Jusuf Nurkic. Prayers out to you young man. You will return even better. You have a few examples you compete against in @Paul George and @Gordon Hayward to lean on. They have the blueprint to travel back! @Portland Trail Blazers
Joe Freeman: Terry Stotts calls Jusuf Nurkic injury “devastating.” The Blazers held a moment of silence and said a collective prayer in the locker room after the game. Nurkic has been taken to a Portland-area hospital.
Dwyane Wade: Hate this part of the game. Prayers up for Nurkic!
Danny Green: Damn man! Many Prayers up for Nurkic! 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Emmanuel Mudiay: Prayers up for my boy nurk!
Garrett Temple: Prayers up for @Jusuf Nurkic 🙏🏾🙏🏾!!!! Hate to see that 😔
Langston Galloway: Praying for you Nurkic!
Jay Allen: Rodney Hood on seeing Jusuf Nurkic go down with a left leg injury: “It was tough…everybody was running away from the ball. Obviously it’s a tough break for him, for our team, and for everybody. We have to continue to fight.” #RipCity
DeMarcus Cousins: Nurkic🙏🏿
Karl-Anthony Towns: Prayers up for @Jusuf Nurkic 🙏🏽
Donovan Mitchell: Prayers up for Nurkic!!! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Nikola Vucevic: 🙏🙏🙏 @bosnianbeast27
Buddy Hield: Prayers for Nurkic 🙏🏾🙏🏾
Harry Giles: God please be with Nurkic🙏🏾🙏🏾
Andrew Wiggins: Prayers out to @Jusuf Nurkic 🙏🏾
Willy Hernangomez: Stay strong @Jusuf Nurkic 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Blake Griffin: get well soon big fella @Jusuf Nurkic
Will Barton: Prayers up to you big fella @Jusuf Nurkic 🙏
DeMar DeRozan: Man!! Prayers to Nurkic…🙏🏾
Kent Bazemore: Prayers up.. @Jusuf Nurkic 🙏🏾
Tim Hardaway Jr: Prayers up for Nurkic.. 🙏🏾
Julius Randle: Prayers for you big fella! @Jusuf Nurkic
Trae Young: Sending Prayers Nurkić…🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Pat Connaughton: Speechless… Prayers up Nurk 🙏🏼 @Jusuf Nurkic
Bradley Beal: Nurkic 🙏🏽
Kevin Huerter: 🙏🏻 Nurkic
Royce Young: Stretcher coming out immediately for Nurkic. This is a tough scene. Nets players saw it and immediately sprinted away from him.
Joe Freeman: Jusuf Nurkic just suffered a gruesome leg injury with 2:22 left in double-overtime against the Nets. They’re bringing out a stretcher to help him off the court and the Moda Center just broke out into a “Ju-Suf Nur-kic” chant.
Luka Doncic: 🙏🙏 nurkic!!
Evan Fournier: Nurkic🙏🙏
Royce O’Neale: OMG Nurkić 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Joe Freeman: Blazers say Jusuf Nurkic (right ankle) is questionable for Friday’s game at Orlando. He’s missed the last three games.
Jason Quick: Blazers announce Jusuf Nurkic (right ankle) and Maurice Harkless (left quad) are questionable for Wednesday game at Miami. Both have missed last two games.
Jason Quick: Blazers announce Jusuf Nurkic (right ankle) is OUT for Monday’s game at Golden State. Maurice Harkless (left quad) is questionable.
Jay Allen: Terry Stotts says Jusuf Nurkic won’t play in Game 4. Didn’t have a setback but has some soreness. Status TBA for Game 5 (if necessary).
Mike Richman: Stotts on Nurkic: “He didn’t do any further damage. There was soreness, tenderness & it just wouldn’t be wise to have him play through that”
Mike Richman: Jusuf Nurkic will NOT play in Game 4, per Terry Stotts
Adrian Wojnarowski: Sources: Portland center Jusuf Nurkic will play in Game 3 vs. Warriors tonight. His minutes will be limited.
Jusuf Nurkic out for Game 2
Tim Bontemps: Terry Stotts says “yes” when asked if there’s a good chance we’ll see Jusuf Nurkic this series. Says “TBD” when asked about Wednesday.
Nurkic is officially listed as “questionable” for the first game of the series, the technical designation given to a player that has a 50 percent chance of playing. The Blazers are remaining coy with their plans for their center even if the tea leaves suggest it’s more likely than a 50-50 toss up.
July 19, 2019 | 9:30 pm EDT Update
Harris said his father/agent had arranged meetings with other teams, but those never came to fruition because the Sixers’ deal got done. Harris referred to a potential Knicks’ meeting only as a “what-if.’’ Asked what he expects from the Knicks this season, Harris was dismissive. “I don’t play for the Knicks,’’ he said. “I don’t care about the Knicks. I’m not going to waste my energy.”
“I wasn’t surprised,’’ Harris said of the Durant/Irving signings. “You heard a lot of rumblings before about it. I didn’t know for 100%, but if I had to make my guess, I would’ve said Kyrie and Kevin were going to the Nets. Kind of all season long you heard different rumblings. That would’ve been my educated guess.”
Harris acknowledged the Nets “pulled their interest’’ once they got their two superstars and used all their cap space.
The Washington Wizards have made Tommy Sheppard their permanent general manger, league sources confirmed to ESPN on Friday. Sheppard has held the job on an interim basis for the past three and a half months.
Candace Buckner: Also, The Post has learned the #Wizards have had preliminary talks with Cleveland Cavaliers defensive coach Michael Longabardi as a potential addition to Scott Brooks’s coaching staff. Details coming soon
July 19, 2019 | 8:13 pm EDT Update
Jose Juan Barea missing World Cup
Tim MacMahon: Mavs guard J.J. Barea has opted to take a cautious approach in his recovery from a ruptured Achilles instead of pushing to play for Puerto Rico in the World Cup. Barea is encouraged with his progress but has accepted that rushing to play in less than 8 months isn’t worth risk.
