Clippers Lose Derrick Jones Jr. for At Least Six Weeks; Jokic, Johnson Earn Weekly Honors
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LOS ANGELES — The Clippers will be without forward Derrick Jones Jr. for a minimum of six weeks after he sustained a right MCL sprain in Sunday’s loss to the Boston Celtics, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The 26-year-old will be re-evaluated at that time.
Jones was injured when Celtics guard Jaylen Brown lost control of the ball, dived after it and collided with Jones’s knee, forcing it inward. Jones immediately clutched the knee and needed assistance to reach the locker room. Team officials told The Athletic they were relieved the damage was not more extensive.
The 6-foot-5 wing had been averaging 10.9 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks, supplying length and defensive energy off the bench.
Additional Clippers Updates
• Rookie swingman Jordan Miller re-aggravated the hamstring strain that sidelined him earlier this season and will miss Monday’s game in Philadelphia. The club does not expect a prolonged absence.
• Two-way rookie Kobe Sanders is slated for his first NBA start in Miller’s place.
• Kawhi Leonard has returned to on-court work while rehabbing ankle and foot sprains. The team has not indicated whether he will play during the current road trip, which ends next Tuesday against the Lakers.
Players of the Week
Western Conference: Denver center Nikola Jokic collected the award after averaging 39 points, 13 rebounds and 8.0 assists while leading the Nuggets to a 3-0 road swing. The two-time MVP scored 55 points against the Clippers, including 52 through three quarters, and Denver has now won seven straight.
Eastern Conference: Atlanta forward Jalen Johnson earned the honor by posting 24 points, 12 rebounds, 9.3 assists and 2.5 steals per game as the Hawks went 4-0 on the road. His 31-point, 18-rebound, 14-assist, 7-steal performance in Utah marked the NBA’s first such stat line since steals became an official statistic in 1973.
Nets Snap Slide
The Brooklyn Nets defeated the Washington Wizards on Sunday, a result that marginally alters the franchise’s lottery odds. Head coach Jordi Fernández emphasized development over draft positioning.
“It’s a learning process. And it’s not just about the young guys. It’s about us, the group, growing together. There’s a plan for everybody to get better, and if you don’t get better, you get worse,” Fernández told reporters.
Source: Hoops Wire
