Blazers' Jusuf Nurkic Breaks Leg In Horrific Injury, NBA Stars Send Prayers

UPDATE (3.20 a.m. EDT) - The Portland Trailblazers have confirmed Jusuf Nurkic will remain sidelined for the rest of the season after suffering compound fractures to his left tibia and fibula during their win over the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night. There is no timetable for his return at the moment with the team revealing that updates will be provided as appropriate.

Original story:

Jusuf Nurkic suffered a serious leg injury during the Portland Trailblazers’ game against the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night. He suffered the injury with just over two minutes to go in double overtime with the Trailblazers leading 134-132. They eventually won the game 148-144.

The Bosnian center was taken off the court on a stretcher after suffering a lower-leg injury while contending for an offensive rebound. He underwent lengthy treatment on the court with his teammates looking on in absolute agony and head coach Terry Stotts’ expression showed the pain the entire team was feeling.

Nurkic had contributed 32 points and 16 rebounds for his team before suffering the horrific looking injury. The Bosnian was playing some of his best basketball this season and this injury is likely to keep him out for a long time. The Trailblazers fans were chanting for their player while he was down and his teammates ensured they ended the night with a win in double overtime.

Nurkic's NBA colleagues were quick to offer prayers for the big center, the likes of DeMarcus Cousins, who knows what it is like to have a serious injury, Rudy Gobert and Buddy Hield were the first to react. Gordon Hayward of the Boston Celtics suffered a similar injury in 2017, and it took him almost a year to return to action.