Portland's Nurkic fractures right wrist against Indiana

Posted January 15, 2021 6:00 am

By ANNE M. PETERSON

Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic pleads his case with referee Leon Wood during the second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021. The Trail Blazers won 132-126. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) The Associated Press

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic fractured his right wrist Thursday night during a game against the Indiana Pacers.

Nurkic could be seen holding the wrist after swiping at the ball in the third quarter, and he fell to the floor after contact under Indiana's basket. At a timeout he went to to the locker room and did not return.

The 7-foot-0 Bosnian was averaging 10.3 points and 7.6 rebounds heading into the game.

Nurkic missed much of the first half of last season after breaking his left leg in a game in March 2019. He returned to the team to play in the the bubble in Orlando, Florida, after the season was put on hold because of coronavirus.

"He had a long road back from his other injury," coach Terry Stotts said. 'œHe had a rough start of the season, it looked like he was getting back on track. Obviously this is a big setback for him and for us.'ť

Stotts said Nurkic was in a splint after the game.

The Blazers were already without forward/center Zach Collins indefinitely after ankle surgery at the end of December.

Indiana Pacers forward Domantas Sabonis, right, passes the ball away from Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer) The Associated Press

Sacramento Kings center Richaun Holmes, left, hits the ball out of the hands of Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021. The Trail Blazers won 132-126. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) The Associated Press

Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic, left, shoots next to Minnesota Timberwolves forward Ed Davis during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021. (AP Photo/Steve Dykes) The Associated Press

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