With just 22 games left in the Trail Blazers‘ season, center Jusuf Nurkic remains unsure when he might be ready to return to action, according to Jason Quick of The Athletic.
“It’s hard to give hope because there is no dates (for my return), so it’s hard to talk about anything,” Nurkic said. “I have no dates, so all the rumors, they don’t make sense. People are going to say (he’s coming back) today, tomorrow, next week, a week later … but I have no dates.”
Nurkic, who has spent the season recovering from the left leg fractures he sustained last March, returned to practice last month and appeared to be nearing a return to game action. However, he was diagnosed with a right calf strain following that first workout, and it’s unclear whether he has resumed practicing since then, Quick writes.
The big man made it clear that he still needs more practice time, something that can be hard to come by during the NBA season — teams like the Blazers conduct fewer full practices and scrimmages between games in order to avoid overworking players.
“All I know is I’m trying to figure out how I can get more practices, because we don’t have many practices,” Nurkic told Quick. “That’s the only thing I can tell you. That’s the only reason I can come back: If I find somehow to practice. … I can’t be out 11 months and just jump in a game; it doesn’t work out that way.”
The Blazers are still just three games out of a playoff spot in the Western Conference, and as long as they remain in the hunt, Nurkic figures to continue pushing to return in the coming weeks. However, if Portland slumps and starts to fall out of the postseason race, it’s fair to wonder whether getting Nurkic back on the court this season will continue to be a priority for the club.
Too bad Portland does not have a G league team. He might be back sooner.
Agree with that completely. Any number of great places within a couple of hours of Portland to put a G League team. Amazing that with the development and rehab value that they haven’t.
They should look into a Seattle team.
Why is the coaching staff not working him out while the other players rest on off days
Why is he not on the court before home games working on his shot and conditioning
I see no reason both of those things cant be done to quicken his return
If hes still hurt, say so.
But he makes it sound like hes ready to go he just has nowhere to “practice”
I call BS
Can’t wait for him to return just to atleast add some depth.
With the thing about him not training why don’t the Blazers organise a trials with a bunch of players that get 10 day contracts and some older vets like Shumpert, Faried, Stephenson and have them you can get a better look at some players to possibly add for this year or next year and get to work Nurkic
He already re-injured himself in January, so there’s no point in rushing him back since they’re not going to make the playoffs anyway. Bring him back next season.
Wasted a whole season talking about when Nurkic comes back?? All while paying luxury tax to not make the playoffs. Smh