Utah Jazz: Sefolosha out for season, Gobert not ready to return
By Ryan Aston
Utah Jazz forward Thabo Sefolosha could be facing season-ending knee surgery. Meanwhile, Rudy Gobert will continue to be out as well.
I’ve said it before, but it bears mentioning again — Utah Jazz fans can count on three things in life. Death, taxes and having their team continually ravaged by injuries are those things. The latter struck again on Friday.
During the second half of Utah’s 99-88 loss to the Charlotte Hornets, guard-forward Thabo Sefolosha suffered what was initially diagnosed as a right knee sprain. Now, it’s being reported as an MCL injury that could cost the 33-year-old his season.
According to The Vertical’s Shams Charania, Sefolosha is expected to undergo surgery that will bring his 2017-18 campaign to a close.
Utah Jazz forward Thabo Sefolosha is expected to undergo season-ending surgery on an MCL injury in his right knee, league sources say.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 13, 2018
ESPN’s Marc Stein is reporting initial estimates on Sefolosha’s recovery at six months.
If this holds true, Sefolosha will become the second Jazzman to potentially be lost for the year. Combo guard Dante Exum has been out since the preseason after falling prey to a shoulder injury.
Obviously, this is bad times in Jazzland. Sefolosha has been one of the few bright spots for the team this season, averaging 8.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game while knocking down better than 38 percent of his 3-point shots. For the year, the Jazz are 9.5 points per 100 possessions better when he’s been on the floor.
Beyond that, though, he’s been a stabilizing force and floor leader for the Jazz as they’ve suffered through yet another injury-plagued campaign.
More from The J-Notes
- With the FIBA World Cup over for Simone Fontecchio, it’s clear he deserves minutes for the Utah Jazz
- Best, Worst and Most likely scenarios for the Utah Jazz this season
- Hoops Hype downplays the significance of the Utah Jazz’s valuable assets
- 3 Utah Jazz players who have the most to gain or lose this season
- Former Utah Jazz forward Rudy Gay is a free agent still and it shouldn’t surprise anyone
Elsewhere in the injury department, All-NBA center Rudy Gobert will continue to miss time as well. His situation, however, is considerably less dire.
Gobert was re-evaluated on Saturday and, according to The Salt Lake Tribune, he’s expected to miss at least another 7-10 days of action. The Stifle Tower has been out of commission since December 15 with a knee sprain and bone bruise.
Death, taxes and injuries, man.
In just 18 games played, Gobert is putting up 11.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per contest.