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Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan said on Friday that the team is uncertain if rookie Luguentz Dort will be available to play in Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs on Tuesday against the Houston Rockets.
Dort was ruled out of Friday’s regular-season finale versus the Los Angeles Clippers after he collided with Miami Heat forward Jae Crowder on Wednesday. The two players banged knees on the play and Dort left the game and would not return.
The Thunder determined that Dort suffered a right knee sprain and will be listed as day-to-day moving forward. Donovan provided additional information on the injury, adding that the team will have to wait and see on his status.
We won’t probably know much more. He is out tonight. We, obviously, have three days going into the Houston series but right now it’s something that needs to be evaluated continually. Obviously, I trust our medical staff. They will do a great job with Lou. They will do a great job of getting treatment. It is too early to say and too early to diagnose how long this could be. We’ll have to wait and see how this unfolds. … I have uncertainty on whether or not he’ll even be available for Game 1. We’ll have to wait and see those things. We’ll see how he progresses over the next few days.
Dort has emerged as a key player for the Thunder during the season restart, averaging 9.1 points and 3.9 rebounds in seven games at the Wide World of Sports Complex. He is one of the team’s best defenders and could be a big loss for the team should he miss extended time.
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