Clifford says Hornets may shut Jefferson down
With the postseason all but a dream for the Charlotte Hornets, it looks like the team may shut down injured center Al Jefferson, according to coach Steve Clifford.
Jefferson left Friday's game against the Indiana Pacers at halftime and did not return. The right knee soreness the veteran has been battling for much of the past month was the culprit. He won't play Saturday against the Philadelphia 76ers.
The reeling Hornets, losers of 10 of their last 14 games, also remain without the services of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Tyler Zeller.
Jefferson and the Hornets have been up front recently about their center who won't be at 100 percent again this season. With Friday's 93-74 loss to the Pacers - a team they're supposed to be fighting with for a very slim shot at the playoffs - Charlotte is all but done.
Jefferson has had fluid drained from his knee three times in the past 10 days, according to Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer.
"The guy literally couldn't pivot and turn," Clifford said of Jefferson after Friday's game. "I don't know if he’ll play again. It's just not fair to him."
The 30-year-old and 11-year veteran is averaging 16.8 points on the season and is the Hornets' leading rebounder at 8.5 per game.