Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports

Jusuf Nurkic Out Two Weeks For Portland

By: Dzevad Mesic

The Portland Trail Blazers will be without starting center Jusuf Nurkic for at least the remainder of the regular season.

Nurkic, who helped turn Portland’s season around when they traded for him after the 2017 Trade Deadline, has a “nondisplaced fibula in his right leg,” according to Real GM. The injury occurred on March 30 at Moda Center against the Houston Rockets.

The Bosnian center had a good outing that night, scoring 19 points along 11 rebounds and three blocks in 32 minutes of action. The Trail Blazers ended up beating the Rockets 117-107.

It’s an unfortunate thing to happen to Portland, as Nurkic has been playing some great basketball recently. Nurkic has averaged 15.2 points and 10.4 rebounds in Trail Blazer uniform. He was a big reason behind Portland’s great form, which helped the team to move to number eight in the West in front of the Nuggets.

The Trail Blazers, 38-38, have six more regular season games to play. They’re in a good spot to reach the playoffs — as Denver is sitting on 35 wins and 40 losses at the moment.

If nothing unexpected happens, Portland will be clashing off against the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference first-round. If they want to have a shot at making it past the Warriors, they will certainly need a healthy Nurkic. It remains to be seen how will Nurkic’s recovery progress.