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NBA Rumors: Rudy Gobert expected to miss a month with sprained MCL

By Michael Saenz

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - OCTOBER 18: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz defends against Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets during their game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on October 18, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - OCTOBER 18: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz defends against Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets during their game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on October 18, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /
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NBA Rumors: Rudy Gobert is expected to miss time again after sustaining a sprained MCL

UPDATE: Per Yahoo’s Shams Charania

"Utah Jazz star Rudy Gobert has been diagnosed with a sprained PCL in his left knee and bone bruise in tibia, expected to be sidelined for one month."

Perhaps this is simply not Rudy Gobert’s year.

After missing 11 games in November due to a knee bruise, it sounds like Rudy Gobert is headed back on the shelf. Just two minutes into the Utah Jazz’s game against the Boston Celtics Friday night, Gobert limped off the court with what is being diagnosed as a Grade 1 MCL sprain.

Gobert is expected to undergo further evaluation in order to pinpoint a true timetable for his return. Although, in the past, a typical Grad 1 MCL sprain requires a player to be sidelined for roughly two weeks.

More from Sir Charles In Charge

"[via ESPN]An initial evaluation of the injured left knee of Utah Jazz star center Rudy Gobert revealed a Grade 1 MCL sprain, league sources told ESPN.X-rays on Gobert’s knee were negative, sources said. He will undergo an MRI on Saturday to confirm the initial diagnosis, and the timetable on a possible return will be clearer after that test."

Assuming that Gobert returns in exactly two weeks, he could miss up to eight games. The good news for Jazz fans is that the team didn’t completely fall off when he missed 11 games earlier this year. During that span, the Jazz went an impressive 7-4. If they can come close to that type of record during his absence, Utah should be fine.

Even after their impressive win over the Boston Celtics Friday night, the Jazz are still only 14-15 and 9th in the Western Conference. Chasing the Oklahoma City Thunder and New Orleans Pelicans down in the standings, who are clearly more talented teams, will be a tall task without Gobert in the lineup. However, there’s no limiting what this Jazz team can do. Even without Gordon Hayward this season, they’ve proven to be respectable.

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Still, it’s important that Gobert gets – and remains – healthy for the stretch run. And if the Utah Jazz is going to make any type of noise in the West for the remainder of the season – and perhaps in the playoffs – they’re going to need a healthy roster, not just Rudy Gobert.

The NBA gods just haven’t been kind to them this season. Hopefully that changes soon.

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