Veteran point guard Jeremy Lin suffered a ruptured patella tendon in his right knee during Brooklyn’s season opener in Indiana on Wednesday, the Nets announced today in a press release. According to the team, Lin is expected to miss the entire 2017/18 season.
“Jeremy worked tremendously hard during the offseason and in training camp and was excited for the prospects of the team this season,” GM Sean Marks said in a statement. “We feel awful that the injury will cost him the season, however our entire organization will be there to support Jeremy in every way possible throughout his recovery. Jeremy remains an important part of this team and will continue to contribute in a leadership role.”
Lin, who sustained the injury during the fourth quarter of the Nets’ opener against the Pacers, landed awkwardly after a drive to the basket. As we detailed on Wednesday night, the injury immediately looked like a bad one, with Lin grabbing his knee and repeatedly saying, “I’m done.”
It’s a devastating blow for the Nets, who hoped to have Lin healthy this season after injuries limited him to just 36 games in his first year in Brooklyn. The Nets went 13-23 when Lin played last year and 7-39 when he didn’t, a reflection of his importance to the club. The 29-year-old had been set to share the starting backcourt with fellow point guard D’Angelo Russell in a pairing that was off to a good start in Indiana before Lin went down — the duo combined for 48 points in the game.
With Lin sidelined, backup point guard Isaiah Whitehead figures to be in for a larger role this season. Brooklyn could also lean more heavily on guards like Caris LeVert, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Sean Kilpatrick, with Allen Crabbe potentially moving into the starting lineup.
As for Lin, we wish him a speedy – and full – recovery. He’ll be in line for an interesting decision after the season, with a 2018/19 player option on his contract. It’s worth about $12.52MM.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Hope he’ll be back soon. Loved seeing him in Charlotte and having him as that spark plug off the bench.
Wow…that really sucks. He was hurt most of the year last year, and they were much better with him. They lost a lot of close games, and last night was another close one. I had them fighting with a few other teams for those 7-12 spots…i didn’t see the play. Sounds like it was pretty bad
My assumption is they’ll either continue with the multi guard lineup with Dinwiddie, or move Crabbe or Kilpatrick into the starting lineup, depending on the balance of scoring they want on the bench. They’re obviously going to need to continue to get what they got from Russell
….also totally forgot about this, and probably not the time to mention it, considering the injury, but it could have an effect on that draft pick going to Cleveland
oh it absolutely will. now they’ll be bad and Cleveland will get a top pick. I was hoping they’d get 8th seed and make the trade more favorable for Boston
As a fan of basketball I like Lin. But as a Cavs fan I’m sorta glad. I’m going to hell. But no way the nets could have competed for a playoff spot with or without him
Totally disagree this is their best player and think Russell will have a breakout year. IMO the Cavs need to trade this pick to get a good young player as I think the Nets will be better than what people are saying, kinda like the Jets.
Woops…He had more playing time as a Hornet. Knicks and Nets have a hex on players.
Young depth gets a shot. They were probably always going to turn the ball over a lot… the injury may not make that much difference. With only one injury on the team, comparitively speaking the Nets are actually in better-than-average health!