Trail Blazers' Lopez out 'a while' with fractured hand
The Portland Trail Blazers took down the shorthanded San Antonio Spurs on Monday, but they lost their starting center in the process.
Robin Lopez left the game after appearing to injure his right hand when he hit Boris Diaw's head while attempting to grab a rebound in the third quarter. He did not return, which was concerning enough, but the postgame diagnosis was even more sobering.
Robin Lopez has a fracture in his right hand. "Will be out a while" according to Coach Stotts #RipCity #BlazersTalk
— CSNNW (@CSNNW) December 16, 2014
Watching from the sidelines will take some getting used to for the 26-year-old big man. Including last season's playoffs, he has started all 118 games for the Blazers since joining the team last season and has not missed a game at all since the 2011-12 season, missing two games total over the last four seasons with Portland, New Orleans and Phoenix.
Lopez has averaged 9.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.2 assists through 25 games for the 19-6 Trail Blazers.