Utah's Gobert sprains left knee on 1st play of game
LOS ANGELES (AP) Utah center Rudy Gobert sprained his left knee in the series opener against the Los Angeles Clippers on the first play of the game Saturday night.
Gobert banged knees with Clippers forward Luc Mbah a Moute. Gobert was setting a screen when Mbah a Moute ran by him in pursuit of Gordon Hayward. After the players made contact, Gobert fell to the court clutching his left leg.
A Jazz spokesman says Gobert has been taken from Staples Center to have an MRI for precautionary reasons.
The fourth-year player from France had to be helped off the court, leaning heavily on teammates George Hill and Boris Diaw as he made his way to the locker room.
The matchup between Gobert and Clippers center DeAndre Jordan was expected to be a key to the best-of-7 series.
Gobert averaged 14.0 points and 12.8 rebounds in the regular season.
