Jusuf Nurkic out at least six weeks
Portland center Jusuf Nurkic underwent surgery today to repair a fracture in his right wrist, it was announced by Trail Blazers president of basketball operations Neil Olshey.
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Nurkic will wear a splint for four weeks and be re-evaluated in six weeks. His status will be updated accordingly.
Sean Highkin: Enes Kanter: “This game was for Nurk.”
Jusuf Nurkic to undergo surgery on right wrist
Shams Charania: Portland center Jusuf Nurkic will undergo surgery on his fractured right wrist and miss at least eight weeks, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
The Blazers late Thursday night said Nurkic will undergo more imaging and consultation in the coming days to determine a course of recovery. No timeline has been announced, but the way his teammates and coach talked Thursday, it sounds like he will miss significant time. “It’s just terrible,” McCollum said. “Nurk is a huge part of our team.” The injury touched a nerve on the Blazers because Nurkic is more than just their starting center. He is, as top executive Neil Olshey once said, the team’s “spirit animal.” He comes across as cocky and brash to opponents, but to his teammates, he is happy-go-lucky and humorous. And while he is burly and tough on the court, he is sensitive and caring off the court, the closest among any on the team to Lillard’s son, Damian Jr.
Bobby Marks: Financial/team info on the Jusuf Nurkic injury 💰$1.25M bonus for games played (62) and wins (44) As of today: 12 GP and 7 W with 60 games remaining 🏀Portland does have an open roster spot and Two Way 💰$1.87M below the luxury tax 🏀No deadline to sign a Two Way (was 1/15)
Jusuf Nurkic fractures right wrist
Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic fractured his right wrist Thursday night during a 111-87 loss to the visiting Indiana Pacers. Nurkic could be seen holding the wrist after swiping at the ball in the third quarter, and he fell to the floor after contact under Indiana’s basket. At a timeout he went to the locker room and did not return.
The 7-0 center out of Bosnian and Herzegovina suffered a broken right wrist in the third quarter of Thursday’s game versus the Pacers Thursday night at the Moda Center. The injury occurred around the 8:40 mark of the third quarter, as Nurkic fell after contesting a drive attempt by Pacers center Myles Turner. Nurkic took a hard fall to the floor and remained there for some time before getting up and immediately heading to the locker room with members of the team’s medical staff. X-rays taken taken during the game showed a fracture to his right wrist, which, depending on the severity and location of the break, could sideline the center for the foreseeable future.
Jay Allen: Terry Stotts tells #BlazersRadio that Hassan Whiteside (sore left calf/Achilles) will start alongside Jusuf Nurkic today vs. the Raptors. Whiteside will play about 20 minutes. Damian Lillard (left foot inflammation) will not play today. He’s listed as day-to-day. @travisdemers
Wednesday, March 25th 2020 marks the second straight week of no NBA basketball, which has seems like much longer than two weeks. It is also the one-year mark since 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 last season. Over the past year, the road to recovery has been trying. But, Nurkic has been strong and steadfast in his rehab despite the physical and emotional toll it has taken on him. The Trail Blazers big man shared his thoughts on his Instagram Wednesday while remembering the trials and tribulations of this past year.
Along with nine photos and one video of the Bosnian Beast working out, Nurk wrote: “I’m so emotional but can’t believe it’s been a year since my injury. It doesn’t matter how deep you fall what really matters is how high you bounce back. In my life I learn to overcome difficulties but everyone has a fate and own destiny. Faith is trusting God even when you don’t understand His plan. Once again I want to thank everyone. A year ago you guys did something special for me, it meant the world to me after all I’m 100% healthy and can’t wait to play basketball again. Until then, stay safe and healthy…. Love Nurk — Trail Blazers center.”
Casey Holdahl: Jusuf Nurkić says he’s going to Santa Cruz to get a practice in — not a game — with the G-League Warriors as a last hurdle before potentially playing Sunday vs. Rockets.
The Bosnian Beast will most likely be on a minutes restriction, at least for the first handful of games as he works his way back into game shape. Thus, Whiteside will probably play starter’s minutes even if he isn’t out on the floor when the ball is tipped. But, could the Blazers go with the Twin Towers and play both centers together? Whiteside thinks so. I think it’ll be good. Melo posts up 80% of the time, so it’s not going to be a spacing issue or anything. I think we’ll be a force out there. Even when we’re in a game, I think we can play minutes together and then we can rotate in and out. — Trail Blazers big man Hassan Whiteside on playing alongside Jusuf Nurkic
Casey Holdahl: Terry Stotts confirmed the March 15 timeline for Nurkic’s return, though he also noted Jusuf still has numerous benchmarks to clear first. Also said the calf strain set him back four to five weeks.
Jamie Hudson: Just talked with Gary Trent Jr. about finding out Nurkic’s target date of Mar. 15. Trent said he was really happy for Nurk because of how hard he has seen him work, adding- Nurk has been the first and last to leave the gym while he rehabs. More at @NBCSNorthwest soon
Casey Holdahl: Just an FYI that Jusuf Nurkic is not with the team in Phoenix, so it’s unlikely there will be any additional updates today other than what @Chris Haynes already provided.
Jusuf Nurkic back next week
Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic, who has been sidelined for almost a year after a devastating leg injury, told Yahoo Sports he will make his season debut March 15 against the Houston Rockets. “I’m ready to help my team make the playoffs,” he told Yahoo Sports. “It’s time.”
“I worked my ass off to be in position to get back on the court and help my team, but game speed is going to be different,” Nurkic told Yahoo Sports. “I’m not going to be playing 40 minutes. But for me, mentally, I need to get these reps in before I can play [extended minutes]. Physically, I’m good. I had a calf strain recently, which is normal for the injury I had. I’ve been pleased with where my rehab is going. I never doubted I’d be back, but I had to make sure I was 100 percent. I can’t wait for [March 15].”
It will be the first time Nurkic will get to play with Hassan Whiteside, the center Portland traded for in the offseason as a placeholder and who is currently leading the league in blocks at 3.1 per game. “He’s my teammate,” Nurkic told Yahoo Sports. “I don’t know the plans going forward, but my mind is on how I’m going to help this team make the playoffs. We just need to sacrifice our games for the team’s good, do the little things that don’t show on the stat sheet and put our games together for possibly the playoffs. We have a chance, and when you have a chance, you’ve got to go get it.”
My sources inside the Blazers say neither Nurkic nor the team has made a call on when the center will return because they have no idea how his body will respond as he ramps up his workload. The only decision that has been made is that he will not return in the next week because the team wants to see how his body reacts to a series of practices scheduled during that time.
Jusuf Nurkic out until after All-Star break
According to a source familiar with the situation, who spoke to the USA TODAY Sports Media Group on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on the matter, Nurkic will be out until after the All-Star break. Nurkic suffered a gruesome broken leg injury in which he fractured his fibula and tibia, on March 25, 2019, and the Blazers are currently in the midst of a difficult season at 19-26, two games behind the Memphis Grizzlies for eighth place in the Western Conference.
There is still no official word on his return to an NBA game, but this development is encouraging. Now as Rip City awaits the Bosnian Beasts return, everyone is wondering will it be soon? “I do” Lillard said of getting the sense that Nurkic is nearing his return.
But most of all, there was news — big news — of Jusuf Nurkic going through a contact practice, albeit mostly halfcourt, as he recovers from his broken left leg. Nobody was willing to say how soon Nurkic could be back playing in games, but just the news of him playing full speed in practice is reason for optimism.
Jason Quick: Caleb Swanigan said “Nurk looked like Nurk” during practice, adding that Nurkić dunked at one point.
A little less than nine month after suffering compound fractures to his left tibia and fibula, the Blazers’ starting center has resumed basketball activities, the latest development in an extensive and deliberate rehabilitation he called “60 percent” complete. Nurkic said his surgically-repaired leg — which is now reinforced by a metal rod — is pain-free, he remains emotionally and mentally upbeat and he’s on track to return this season.
Nurkic said he has lost more than 10 pounds but added muscle as he’s ramped up his rehab. And as he continues to improve, he isn’t merely focusing on his health, but rather, on becoming a better and more skilled player. “I’m not expecting myself to just do the rehab,” he said. “I want to get better. I want to get better as a player. I want to get better as a person. I see a lot of things differently (away) from the court, from the bench, and the locker room.”
Nurkic, 25, says he is not rehabilitating simply to get healthy. He is working to come back a more skilled player. “I don’t want to just do the rehab. I want to get better,” Nurkic said. “Better as a player, better as a person.” He says he has lost about 10 pounds and hasn’t felt any pain since he has ramped up his workouts. “I try to build day by day,” Nurkic said. “I try to listen to the team and doctors and everybody around me to do it the right way. It’s difficult right now watching, but I just need to be smart. I feel pretty good where I am.”
“I just want to be around the team,” Nurkic said. “As I get closer and time goes on, they need to feel my presence.” Phase Two will arrive in the coming weeks when he is cleared for contact. The final phase will be when he plays this season, which within the organization is not a question of if, but when.
Nurkic, after a workout that left him drenched in sweat, pronounced himself “right where I want to be” and “pain-free.” Pressed, he put his readiness at “60 percent.” Nurkic has been sidelined since last March 25 ,after suffering compound fractures in his left tibia and fibula that required surgery.
The franchise has refused to put a timetable on his return to active duty and Nurkic dodged all those questions, as did his coach. But it was made clear that he has been doing more work on the court than previously thought. “He’s been doing a lot of stuff,” Coach Terry Stotts said. “This is the first time you’ve gotten to see it. He’s been doing things similar to this. Today wasn’t anything new from our standpoint. You just haven’t seen it. I think we’re all encouraged by the progress he’s made.”
Casey Holdahl: Jusuf Nurkić is traveling with the team on their two-game trip to Denver and Phoenix. I *think* this is the first time he’s traveled with the team since the first trip of the season.
Joe Freeman: Jusuf Nurkic said he does not have a time or game in mind for when he will return this season. “I’m going to be back when I’m back … when doctors decide it’s a green light.”
Jay Allen: Neil Olshey says Jusuf Nurkic has been working out and shooting at the PF. Says members of the training staff were with Nurkic throughout the Summer. “He’s in great shape. His weight is terrific; it’s right where we’d want it to be if he was playing.”
Michael Gallagher: Neil Olshey said Jusuf Nurkic could be out until February.
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…🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
January 25, 2021 | 10:04 pm EST Update
Nets beat Miami before road trip
Alex Schiffer: Final: Nets sweep the Heat 98-85 despite shooting just 29 percent from 3 and 40 percent from the field. Kevin Durant and James Harden each score 20 points while Kyrie Irving adds 16. Nets are 11-8 and go on a four-game road trip, which starts in Atlanta on Wednesday.
Joe Mussatto: Isaiah Roby is the Thunder’s oldest starter tonight. G: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (22-197d) G: Theo Maledon (19-227d) G: Lu Dort (21-281d) F: Darius Bazley (20-227d) C: Isaiah Roby (22-357d)
Tom Moore: #Sixers coach Doc Rivers on Tobias Harris: ‘I love the way he’s been playing. … When he plays with quick decisions & downhill, he’s been fantastic.’
Tom Moore: #Sixers coach Doc Rivers on facing the #Lakers Wednesday: ‘We’ll be ready when it comes, I’ll tell you that. They’re not a hard team to get up for. … They have LeBron James and Anthony Davis. They’re better than last year.’
Tom Moore: #Sixers rookie guard Tyrese Maxey on playing the #Lakers Wednesday: ‘They’re the champs right now. It’ll be a good test to try to get us a ‘W.’ ‘
J. Michael Falgoust: Turner on what’s changed with him: “I’m a lot more relaxed. I just don’t care what people think anymore. I was so worried about what media had to say, analyst, other players.” #PacersRaptors
