Serbian Star Gets Injury Setback That Could Derail Comeback

Clippers fans might be surprised by Bogdan Bogdanovic’s injury history. He suited up for only 37 games last year, sidelined early by nagging hamstring trouble in Atlanta. October and November were rough, but once he shook it off, he finally found his rhythm.

Once traded to the Clippers, he stayed healthy. His shooting returned, too. He went from 30.1 percent from deep in Atlanta to 42.7 percent in Los Angeles. Still, his playoff struggles left questions. He averaged just 6.4 points with poor efficiency.

Now at 33, with more than a decade of pro basketball on his legs, the margin for error shrinks. Hamstring setbacks hit harder at this stage of a career.

What This Means for Serbia

Bogdanovic’s absence reshapes the EuroBasket picture. Serbia entered as one of the tournament favorites. Through three games, they are undefeated in Group A. Bogdanovic averaged 9 points, 4 assists, and 3.5 rebounds in just 20 minutes per game.

That steady production will be missed. Serbia will adjust quickly and lean on younger talent like Nikola Jović to maintain momentum. Nikola Jokić will step up as the leader on the team.

What This Means for the Clippers

For Los Angeles, the timing stings. Training camp opens in about a month. Bogdanovic hoped to earn his way back into Tyronn Lue’s rotation after a down season.

Instead, the Clippers have rehab him with caution. Research shows one in three hamstring injuries reoccur within a year. Older players face even greater risk.

That means that Bogdan Bogdanovic’s injury concern could stretch beyond Clippers’ camp. He may miss preseason. Depending on recovery speed, his opening night availability could be in doubt.

The Bigger Picture

Bogdanovic remains one of the best shooting wings in basketball. He’s a career 38 percent three-point shooter. When healthy, he gives the Clippers spacing and secondary playmaking.

But this latest setback reinforces a hard truth. Availability is everything. Age may be taking its toll on Bogdanovic. This is the delicate game Clippers are playing with a team of veterans.