The Jazz have taken another hit, as it appears they will be without three-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert for some time.
In Sunday’s two-point loss to the Warriors, Gobert left with just over two minutes remaining in regulation with what is considered a left calf strain.
Rudy Gobert’s left calf sprain.
—Eric Walden (@tribjazz) January 24, 2022
This season, Gobert is bidding for a record-tying fourth Defensive Player of the Year award and third All-Star nod with averages of 16.0 points, 15.1 rebounds and 2.3 blocks while shooting a league-best 70.7 percent. , from the field.
What’s next for Gobert and the Jazz? Here’s what we know about his injury and how long he could be out.
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On Sunday, January 23, Gobert came out of a close game with the Warriors with 2 1/2 minutes remaining in regulation. After initially coming out to stretch his left leg on the sideline, the injury was officially ruled a left calf strain, which would rule him out of the remainder of the game.
According to a medical expert., orthopedic surgeon Dr. Michael S. George of the KSF Orthopedic Center in Houston, Texas, “Calf muscle strains occur when the knee is suddenly extended with the foot flexed upward. Often there may be a palpable or audible snap sometimes called fouet strike, or the crack of the whip, which can be similar to the pop that occurs with an Achilles tendon tear.”
According to Dr. George, the extent of the injury is often determined by MRI, with a Grade 1 injury involving disruption of less than 10 percent of muscle fibers.
The extent of Gobert’s injury has yet to be determined.
How long will Rudy Gobert be out?
After the game, Gobert spoke about the injury and said it will be difficult to estimate how long he will be out. The 29-year-old added that the team plans to take a cautious approach.
Rudy Gobert: “It’s just a little strain. I’ve never had this before, so it’s hard for me to say how many games… a minor injury, we’re going to be cautious, obviously, but he’s going to be fine.”
— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) January 24, 2022
In a slightly worrying description, Gobert added that he felt a “slow tear” right away and couldn’t play despite the discomfort.
While calf injuries and recovery time vary by player and the severity of the injury itself, Hornets center Mason Plumlee missed four games with a calf strain earlier in the season. At the time of Gobert’s injury, the 30-17 Jazz are one game behind the third-place Grizzlies and three games ahead of the fifth-place Mavericks.
More updates on Gobert’s availability to come.
Jazz Calendar 2021-22
| Date | Adversary | Time (ET) | national television |
| January 24 | in soles | 21:00 | NBA television |
| 26 of January | against suns | 10:00 pm | ESPN |
| January 28 | in Grizzlies | 8:00 pm | – |
| January 30th | in the timber wolves | 8:00 pm | – |
| February 2 | against nuggets | 10:00 pm | ESPN |