Clippers’ Derrick Jones Jr. out at least 6 weeks with knee sprain
Derrick Jones Jr. will miss significant time after suffering a sprained MCL in his right knee, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania on Monday. The Clippers forward is expected to be sidelined for at least six weeks before being reevaluated.
It’s another tough blow for a Clippers team already dealing with major injury problems.
Jones, 28, had been enjoying the best scoring season of his career, averaging 10.9 points per game while starting all 13 contests for Los Angeles.
The injury happened during Sunday’s game against the Celtics at TD Garden when Jones collided with Boston’s Jaylen Brown in the second quarter.
Brown lost his dribble and dove for the ball just as Jones was reaching for it. The awkward collision caused Jones’ knee to bend inward at a bad angle.
Brown’s arm struck Jones’ leg during the scramble, and Jones immediately grabbed his knee in pain. He rolled on the court before slowly getting up and needing help to reach the locker room.
Officials called a foul on Brown for the play.
Injury woes mounting for Clippers
The Clippers can’t catch a break this season.
Kawhi Leonard has already missed seven straight games with an ankle and foot sprain. Even worse, Bradley Beal suffered a season-ending hip fracture on November 8.
“It’s tough,” James Harden said after the game. “It’s like one after the next. You just try to continue to keep your head on straight, focus on what you can control and just go out there and come away with wins. Hopefully guys will start coming back sooner than later.”
Jones had been a bright spot for the team, posting career highs not just in scoring but also in blocks (1.2) and minutes (24.9) per game. He’s been shooting efficiently too, with splits of 53.3% from the field, 34.8% from three, and 78.6% from the free-throw line.
To make matters even worse, third-year wing Jordan Miller also left Sunday’s game after aggravating a left hamstring strain. That same injury had already kept him sidelined for the first three weeks of the season.
The injury-depleted Clippers will continue their seven-game road trip on Thursday when they face the Magic in Orlando.
