URGENT UPDATE: Los Angeles Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr. has been sidelined again after suffering a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his right knee during Saturday’s game against the Boston Celtics. The injury occurred just as Jones was starting to regain form after a prior injury, and he will be re-evaluated in six weeks.
Jones collided with the Celtics’ Payton Pritchard while scrambling for a loose ball at midcourt. He was visibly in pain and limped off the court, struggling to put weight on his leg. “I don’t know what happened. I don’t know what’s wrong. Like I said, get an MRI tomorrow, and once we figure that out, we will go from there,” he stated after the game.
Before the injury, the 6-6 forward had been a key player for the Clippers, scoring 19 points on 8-of-9 field goals, including 3-of-4 from three-point range, in just 25 minutes of play. His performance had fans and teammates optimistic about his return to full strength after missing 17 games earlier this season due to a similar knee injury sustained on November 16 against the same Celtics team.
The Clippers will need to navigate the upcoming games without one of their starters, as they aim to maintain momentum in the competitive Western Conference. This latest setback raises questions about the team’s depth and strategy as they face off against formidable opponents in the coming weeks.
Fans and analysts alike are now closely monitoring Jones’s recovery timeline, which will be crucial for the Clippers’ performance as they strive for playoff positioning. With his scoring ability and defensive prowess, Jones’s absence will certainly be felt both on and off the court.
Stay tuned for further updates on Jones’s condition and the Clippers’ upcoming matchups as they prepare to adapt in this challenging period.
