David Lee Injury: Warriors Lose Forward For Rest Of Playoffs
David Lee suffered an injury that will cause him to miss the rest of the playoffs, dealing a serious blow to the hopes of the Golden State Warriors.
The All-Star forward tore his right hip flexor in the team’s 97-95 loss to the Denver Nuggets in Game 1 of the playoffs. While the injury likely won’t require surgery, it will keep Lee out for the rest of the first playoff appearance for the Warriors in seven years.
“Unfortunate, especially for a guy that’s worked so hard and put himself in position and put us in the position that we’re in today. … But the task is still at hand so we move forward,” coach Mark Jackson said.
The injury took place in the fourth quarter, when Lee drove to the hoop and knocked hard into JaVale McGee, landing on his right hip.
David Lee said he knew the severity of the injury immediately.
“I knew last night when I did it,” Lee said before the Warriors’ practice Sunday. “I felt it pop. So I knew we were going to get the results we did this morning. I went to run back on defense and had absolutely no sensation in my leg. It wasn’t even painful as much as it was just [numb].”
Lee led the NBA with double-doubles this year with 56, averaging 18.5 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists for the Warriors. Jackson said Lee can’t be replaced, but the team must find more contributions from the bench to stay competitive.
For Lee, it brought a short end to a long-awaited playoff trip. In eight years in the NBA this was his first visit to the postseason.
“I’ve waited for eight years for this and to have it come to such an abrupt end with something that’s out of my control is frustrating,” Lee said. “But at the end of the day, our team has still got a good chance I think in this series and I’m going to put all my effort toward that.”
The David Lee injury puts the Warriors at even longer odds. Facing a 1-0 deficit, the Warriors face a Nuggets team that is only growing stronger. The team expects forward Kenneth Faried to return for Game 2.
