Rudy Gobert Won’t Return Against The Celtics After Injuring His Knee

Rudy Gobert is the centerpiece of one of the top five defenses in the NBA, and by all accounts, the most established player on the Utah Jazz roster. Unfortunately, the Jazz were forced to navigate 11 consecutive games earlier this season while Gobert sat with a right knee ailment, and after just five games back in the lineup, Utah might be dealing with a hole at the center spot again in the near future.

In the (very) early moments of Friday evening’s contest against the Boston Celtics, Gobert went down after teammate and fellow big man Derrick Favors rolled over on his left leg.

Gobert clearly struggled to gain his footing following the injury, and moments later, the Jazz announced that the 7-footer would not be able to return to the game with what was deemed to be a left knee injury.

https://twitter.com/UtahJazzPR/status/941835322542800896

Of course, further testing will determine Gobert’s prognosis, but given his importance to Utah’s present and future, it feels safe to assume that the Jazz will take every precaution with the star big man. It is worth emphasizing that this is not the same knee that was previously injured, but Gobert’s fall did not look ideal by any means, and Jazz fans will hold their breath until more information emerges.

Early returns aren’t tremendous, though, as Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN brings word of a potential MCL sprain.

In some ways, that wouldn’t be the worst outcome, but it would still likely result in a lengthy absence that the Jazz could ill afford.