Los Angeles Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr. will miss significant time after being diagnosed with a Grade 2 right MCL sprain, NBA insider Shams Charania reported Sunday. The team plans to re-evaluate the 28-year-old in six weeks following the setback.
Jones returned last week after missing more than a month with the same injury, which occurred in the same knee against Boston. This marks a troubling recurrence for the forward, who has appeared in 17 games this season, averaging 10.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists across 24.2 minutes per contest.
The Clippers are struggling in the Western Conference with a 12-22 record, 17.5 games behind leaders Oklahoma City Thunder. Despite strong performances from Kawhi Leonard, who averages 28.3 points per game, and James Harden’s 25.7 points and eight assists per night, the team has been inconsistent.
Other contributors, including John Collins (12.6 points, 4.8 rebounds) and Ivica Zubac (15.2 points, 11 rebounds), have provided production inside, but Jones’ athleticism and perimeter defense will be missed. His ability to guard multiple positions and finish at the rim had added depth to the Clippers’ small forward rotation.
Jones’ absence comes as Los Angeles faces a critical stretch of the season, needing wins to improve their playoff odds.
The Clippers must rely on players like Jordan Miller and Kobe Brown to step up in Jones’ absence. Miller averages 4.8 points in limited minutes, while Brown contributes 3.3 points and 1.8 rebounds per game.
