Gobert to return from knee injury vs. Knicks after 15-game absence

Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert is set to return to the lineup Friday night against the New York Knicks, the team announced.

The stalwart rim protector and reigning All-Defensive first teamer has missed the last 15 games due to a bruised left tibia and a PCL sprain in his left knee. The Jazz went 4-11 in his absence.

Gobert has suited up for just 18 contests this season, missing 11 with a bone bruise in his right knee before suffering the more recent injury to his left. Those injuries have kept his and the Jazz's season from really getting off the ground.

When he's played, Gobert hasn't been the same explosive dive man he was last year, and his minutes, scoring, rebounding and block rates, true shooting, and PER have declined from his All-NBA season. Even with his substantial defensive impact, the Jazz have performed better with him on the bench.

But with what they're getting from rookie guard Donovan Mitchell, the Jazz could be poised to make a second-half playoff push if 2016-17 Gobert returns.