LA Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr. suffered a sprained MCL in his right knee and will undergo reevaluation in six weeks, according to sources who spoke with ESPN’s Shams Charania on Monday.
At 28 years old, Jones had played in all 13 games of the current season, averaging a personal best of 10.9 points per game before his injury on Sunday in Boston.
After falling to the floor and clutching his right knee following a collision in the second quarter of Los Angeles’ 121-118 defeat, Jones was assisted to the locker room.
While going for a loose ball, Jones collided with Jaylen Brown from Boston, who was diving for the ball. Brown’s arm hit Jones’ leg. Jones fell to the ground, grasping his knee and writhing in pain before slowly rising and being escorted to the locker room while putting minimal weight on the injured leg. A foul was called on Brown for the incident.
The Clippers are accumulating injuries. Kawhi Leonard is missing his seventh consecutive game due to an ankle and foot sprain, while Bradley Beal sustained a season-ending hip fracture on November 8.
«It’s challenging,» James Harden remarked regarding Jones’ injury. «It’s been one thing after another. You just try to maintain a clear mindset, focus on what is within your control, and go out there to secure victories. Hopefully, guys will return sooner rather than later.»
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
