Marcin Gortat Injury: Updates on Wizards Center's Ear, Knee and Return

Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat needed medical attention to stop bleeding from his ear after taking an elbow from Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic on Jan. 9. However, he's ready to return.

Continue for updates.

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Gortat Active vs. Celtics

Saturday, Jan. 16

Gortat announced on Instagram that he will play Saturday against the Boston Celtics.

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Gortat in Hospital 

Tuesday, Jan. 12 

J. Michael of CSN Washington reported Gortat has been in the hospital since the Wizards landed on Monday, and he may stay there until Wednesday.

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Wittman Comments on Gortat's Knee Injury

Monday, Jan. 11

"We got to get him to the hospital when we land. ... I [don't] know if [it's] a staph infection," said Wizards coach Randy Wittman after Washington's 114-100 win over the Chicago Bulls at United Center on Monday, per J. Michael of CSNWashington.com.

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Gortat Posts Graphic, NSFW Images of Injured Ear

Sunday, Jan. 10

The play can be seen at the 1:41 mark of the video below provided by NBA.com:

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Gortat Among Top Defensive Centers in NBA

Gortat made a career-high 82 starts this past season in Washington's run to the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs and has missed only one game in two years with the Wizards. 

The only change to last year's usual starting five is Otto Porter Jr. filling in for the departed Paul Pierce. With Porter at the 3 and a promising, youthful backcourt in John Wall and Bradley Beal, the perimeter positions are a big strength.

What makes the Wizards so balanced is the presence of both Gortat and Nene in the frontcourt. Now that Gortat is back, look for it to have a positive impact on both ends of the court for Washington.