Caris LeVert — small forward for the Brooklyn Nets — will miss “several weeks” due to a thumb injury. The news was first reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic Thursday afternoon.
Caris LeVert to Miss Several Weeks with Thumb Injury
Caris LeVert Suffers Thumb Injury
LeVert reportedly met with a specialist to evaluate his right thumb after sustaining an injury in the first half against the Phoenix Suns on Nov. 10. Though the initial diagnosis was a sprained thumb, he actually suffered ligament damage in the thumb, requiring surgery.
Nets‘ Caris LeVert has undergone surgery to repair ligament damage in his right thumb. He’s expected to miss several weeks. https://t.co/eR9zPrjZqq
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 14, 2019
LeVert has since undergone successful surgery and will miss several weeks of action. The Nets held him out of a road contest against the Utah Jazz earlier in the week while awaiting an official examination.
LeVert was having a solid year prior to the injury. Through nine games, the 25-year-old averaged career-highs in points (16.8) and minutes (31.6) per game. He was also putting up 5.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per contest while shooting 42.1 percent from the field.
A Disappointing Start for the Brooklyn Nets
After finishing last season with a playoff berth, the Brooklyn Nets made two huge splashes in the offseason. The additions of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant elevated the Nets from playoff contenders to championship contenders. Though Durant had already suffered an Achilles injury and was ruled out for the 2019-20 season, the addition of Irving to an already solid team had Brooklyn ecstatic.
However, the season has not exactly gone to plan thus far. The Nets sit at just 4-6 overall with losses to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Memphis Grizzlies (both in overtime), Indiana Pacers, Detroit Pistons, Phoenix Suns, and Utah Jazz. Now, add an injury to the team’s third-leading scorer.
Though the Nets should be fine in the long run, the slow start and lack of chemistry amongst the newly formed roster leaves some room for concern. Missing a player of LeVert’s caliber for several weeks will not help with any chemistry or experience issues, and could leave the Nets scrambling to find success. Thankfully for fans, though, the upcoming schedule for the Nets is fairly favorable with contests against the New York Knicks, Charlotte Hornets (three), Cleveland Cavaliers, and Sacramento Kings all within the next month.
LeVert’s injury may set the Nets back a step. However, they should still compete for a spot in the Eastern Conference Playoffs by season’s end.
Update
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, LeVert is expected to miss four to six weeks as he recovers from surgery.
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