The Utah Jazz were without center Rudy Gobert for all but 11 seconds of their Game 1 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday, and they'll have to make do without him for Game 2, as well.
Gobert, who suffered a bone bruise and hyperextended left knee, won't be able to suit up Tuesday in Los Angeles, the team announced.
The Jazz showed their mettle in Game 1, gutting out a buzzer-beating win despite losing their best defender (and arguably the best rim protector in the league), not to mention their most dangerous pick-and-roll finisher. The Clippers, given two days to game plan for the Gobert-less Jazz, should provide a more significant challenge in Game 2.
Gobert averaged 14 points, 12.8 rebounds, and a league-leading 2.6 blocks this season, and the Jazz were 11 points per 100 possessions better with him on the floor.