PORTLAND, OR - NOVEMBER 7: Jusuf Nurkic #27 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on against the Memphis Grizzlies on November 7, 2017 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images)Cameron Browne/Getty Images

Jusuf Nurkic Injures Ankle vs. Wizards; X-Rays Come Back Negative

Joseph ZuckerDec 5, 2017

Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic suffered an ankle injury during Tuesday's 106-92 loss to the Washington Wizards.

The Blazers said he wouldn't return after he exited with the right ankle issue in the fourth quarter, according to Jason Quick of NBC Sports Northwest. After the game, X-rays on the ankle were negative, according to Joe Freeman of the Oregonian.

Nurkic was a revelation in the second half of the 2016-17 season following his arrival from the Denver Nuggets. He averaged 15.2 points, 10.4 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 20 games for Portland.

TOP NEWS

In doing so, Nurkic raised expectations coming into this season. Heading into Tuesday, the 7-footer was averaging 15.1 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks a night through his first 23 games.

Durability has long been a concern for Nurkic. Through his first three seasons, he missed 87 of a possible 246 games.

With Portland in the loaded Western Conference, where a small handful of games could be pivotal in determining playoff seeding, losing Nurkic for any stretch of time would be a huge problem.