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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 15: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz is helped off the court by Joe Ingles #2, Boris Diaw #33 and George Hill #3 after an injury during the first half against the LA Clippers at Staples Center on April 15, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 15: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz is helped off the court by Joe Ingles #2, Boris Diaw #33 and George Hill #3 after an injury during the first half against the LA Clippers at Staples Center on April 15, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)Harry How/Getty Images

Rudy Gobert Out for Game 2 vs. Clippers with Knee Injury

Timothy RappApr 17, 2017

Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert will miss the team's Game 2 matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers, the team confirmed Monday.

Tony Jones of theย Salt Lake Tribuneย first reported the news.

Gobert, 24, hyperextended his knee just 11 seconds into Game 1 after a collision withย Luc Mbah A Moute, though an MRI showed no structural damage.

Jones added, "Gobert's status going forward will be determined game by game, theย Tribune has learned. The Jazz big man is walking without crutches, which is encouraging. At the same time, healing the knee is expected to take some time."

While the Jazz managed to win Game 1, 97-95, without Gobert, it's hard to imagine the team advancing far in the postseason without him if he's forced to miss significant time. Gobert was theย best rim protector in the NBA this past season,ย leading the league with 2.6 blocks per game.

He also averagedย 14.0 points and 12.8 rebounds per game, growing into a true two-way player for the Jazz and, alongside Gordon Hayward, a franchise cornerstone.

Nonetheless, Utah remains confident.

"I think we showed we can play without Rudy," point guard George Hill toldย Jonesย after Game 1. "You wish he was back and you wish this didn't happen, but we've been dealing with injuries and adversity all season long. Sometimes, things are out of your control and things happen."

As for a timetable for his return, head coach Quin Snyder wouldn't specify.ย 

"I don't think we're ready to say today, tomorrow, a week, two weeks," Snyder told reporters on Sunday, perย Tim MacMahonย of ESPN.com. "I think it's literally that wide open."

While he's sidelined, Jones reported that Derrick Favors would start at center andย Jeff Withey would serve as his backup. The Jazz have the depth to survive without Gobert, but replacing his impactโ€”namely on the defensive endโ€”will be impossible for the team.

For more news, rumors and related stories about Rudy Gobert, the Utah Jazz and the NBA, check out the NBA and Jazz streams onย Bleacher Report's app. ย 

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