Los Angeles Clippers rookie Brice Johnson suffered an acute herniated disc in his lower back during the fourth quarter of L.A.’s preseason win over the Toronto Raptors at Staples Center on October 6th. The injury will keep him out indefinitely, according to reports.
Clippers Brice Johnson Out Indefinitely With Lower Back Injury
“That’s tough for a rookie,” said Clippers head coach Doc Rivers, confirming the injury. “He’s not going to miss the year or anything, but just missing two weeks, three weeks, four weeks, for a guy who’s that young, that’s a hard break for him. But it happens.”
It is unknown whether or not Johnson will require surgery. According to Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times, the Clippers will try to rehab Johnson’s back with hopes of avoiding such measures.
It’s unclear how the 6’10” power forward’s absence will impact the Clippers’ upcoming season. Johnson averaged a solid 15.4 points and 6.8 rebounds per game for the Clippers during summer league play.
The Clippers selected Johnson 25th overall in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft this past June. Johnson previously played all four years of collegiate basketball at the University of North Carolina.
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