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ESPN Staff Writer- Covered Celtics since 2007
- Emmy award-winning videographer
- Joined ESPNBoston.com in 2009
BOSTON -- An initial evaluation of the injured left knee of Utah Jazz star center Rudy Gobert revealed a Grade 1 MCL sprain, league sources told ESPN.
X-rays on Gobert's knee were negative, sources said. He will undergo an MRI on Saturday to confirm the initial diagnosis, and the timetable on a possible return will be clearer after that test.
"This group's got character and they are going to compete no matter what the circumstances, and they did,'' Jazz coach Quin Snyder said.
Gobert went to the floor awkwardly after appearing to get rolled into by teammate Derrick Favors early in the first quarter against the Celtics. As he tried to get back to his feet, Gobert fell back to the floor and rolled to his back before clutching his left knee.
Athletic trainers briefly attended to Gobert's left leg on the court before teammates picked him up and attempted to carry him to the bench. Gobert limped when he tried to walk under his own power. The Jazz ruled Gobert out for the night later in the first quarter.
Utah won the game 107-95, after which Gobert tweeted:
Big win fellas! Way to grind it out ✊🏽
— Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) December 16, 2017
Favors later exited the game after suffering a laceration over his left eye following an incidental elbow from Celtics guard Jaylen Brown. The cut required six stitches. Snyder said Favors passed the concussion protocol.
Gobert missed 11 games earlier this season with a bone bruise in his right knee.
The 7-foot-1 Gobert is averaging 12.2 points and 10.1 rebounds in 17 games for the Jazz this season.
