LA Clippers Big Man To Miss Time With Knee Injury
Clippers center Mason Plumlee has a left knee MCL sprain and will return to LA this week for further evaluation, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 7, 2023
Plumlee was injured Monday night when the New York Knicks' Julius Randle inadvertently stumbled into Plumlee's leg. the Clippers big man was in pain as he was carried off the court. He's expected to be out multiple weeks.
The backup center has left the team and is headed back to LA for further tests while the Clips continue their road trip in Brooklyn and then on to Dallas.
Plumlee has been a crucial piece of the second unit, in addition to his defense, offering some ballhandling and passing from the frontcourt. Kawhi Leonard says he will be missed: "It hurts us. He's been very good, coming in that 2nd role, guarding their big."
The Clips will give up some size now, having to fill Plumlee's role as Ivica Zubac's backup with 21-year-old Moussa Diabate, who's 6'9" and has only played 4.5 minutes per game this season on just four occasions, and/or the much smaller P.J. Tucker, who, at 6'5", gives up half-a-foot of height to Plumlee.
The 6'11" center, Plumlee was averaging 17 minutes a night, scoring 5.0 points while adding 5.5 rebounds and shooting 63% from the floor.
Plumlee came to the Clippers at the trade deadline last season, and agreed to re-sign this past summer for a one-year, $5M contract, despite the potential for more money and possibly a starting role elsewhere.
Photo: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
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