Cavaliers forward Lauri Markkanen left tonight’s game with what trainers believe is a “pretty significant” sprain of his right ankle, according to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com.
Markkanen was injured on a collision with four minutes left in the second quarter and had to be helped to the locker room. A source tells Fedor that the team’s medical staff examined his ankle, but not his knee or Achilles. More information won’t be available until further testing is conducted.
Markkanen was trying to defend Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on a drive to the basket, but landed awkwardly on his right leg and fell to the court. He was on the floor for a while, grabbing the ankle in pain, and couldn’t put much weight on it as he headed to the locker room.
The 24-year-old has been an important part of the turnaround for the Cavs, who were fifth in the East at 27-19 entering tonight’s game. Markkanen is averaging 13.7 points and 5.4 rebounds in 37 games this season, and Fedor notes that he is shooting 41.4% from three-point range through 10 games in January.
How does a guy who is 7 feet tall and never gets within 25 feet of the basket and doesn’t jump like ever, sprain his ankle? Another mystery for the x-files.
He actually started when he joined the Cavs. He had no effort with my Bulls.
I thought it was a Heyward at first. I am glad he will play again this year. The Cavs are a great story! Mobley and Garland are going to get a ring soon.
LM’s last year in CHI was likely his worst as they wanted him to be a 5. This year he is back to the 3::1 ratio he started at there, per BasRef. Now with Mobley & Allen alongside, realistically he is more a 3 than ever and probably more active than before. But guarding ShaiGA?— he has limitations!
The trade helped both teams it seems. As has the non-trade of KLove, with GM Altman assisted by all the other GMs not wanting that contract.
Right now the FO is pushing Okoro via the local media. LM’s injury will gove Okoro some showcase, but I think Okoro will show Altman to be not that wise, and the pushing is just a distraction.
Anyone else shocked that Lauri is 24?
No. I for one fully expect a person, born in May of 1997, to be listed as 24 years old in January of 2022. Simple math.
This also means that Markkanen will be 30 years old at the start of the 2027/28 season.
Just to save you another shock.
Nerd
You knew his birthday off the top of your head? Not sure you’re the kind of guy I want explaining math to me
May is a month, not a “birthday”.
Obviously math isn’t the only thing that needs to be explained to you, sport.
Yeah, I thought he was like 22/23… can’t believe he is that old already!