NBA veteran big man Mason Plumlee suffered a freak injury during the Los Angeles Clippers’ recent 111-97 loss to the New York Knicks. Julius Randle dove for a loose ball and incidentally crashed into Plumlee’s left knee.
According to NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, Plumlee has a left knee MCL sprain and will receive further evaluation this week.
To kick off his 11th NBA season, Plumlee has averaged 5.0 points and 5.5 rebounds on 63.2% shooting across six contests. He also played fewer minutes than usual against the Knicks after the MCL sprain cut his night short.
Last season, Plumlee left the Charlotte Hornets at the trade deadline and immediately found chemistry with the Clippers. In 23 games with Los Angeles, the 6-foot-11 rim protector averaged 7.5 points in 19.9 minutes on an incredible 72.7% shooting from the field. He also grabbed 6.9 total rebounds per game and 1.8 offensive rebounds per game.
Per 36 minutes, Plumlee has averaged a double-double in every season of his career since his rookie year. The 33-year-old has posted 10.6 points and 11.6 rebounds per 36 minutes. While his 42.9% free throw clip still needs work, Plumlee gets it done on both ends as a traditional backup big.
With their recent addition of P.J. Tucker, the Clippers can survive Plumlee’s absence. While starting big man Ivica Zubac will have to hold down the interior as LA’s only true center, Tucker can fill in and serve as a small ball five in certain rotations.
After adding James Harden to the mix, the Clippers have a plethora of shot-creators and ball handlers who can make plays for themselves and others. Harden and Westbrook both distribute the basketball at a high level, and their presence could easily help a player like Plumlee who typically needs others to set him up for buckets.
Harden made his Clippers debut in the Knicks game and dropped 17 points on 6-9 shooting. The 10-time All-Star averaged 21.0 points and 10.7 dimes last season. Moving forward, The Beard should see an increase in minutes and shot volume.
The Clippers play their next game Nov. 8 on the road against the Brooklyn Nets. Playing against his former team, Harden should have extra motivation to perform at a high level and snap Los Angeles’ two-game skid. The Clippers will also play their first game of the season without Plumlee.
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