The Washington Wizards were hoping Ian Mahinmi would be the front line help they needed when they signed him to a 4-year, $64 million deal this offseason. Unfortunately, Mahinmi missed the first part of the season for Washington and has played in just one game. Now, it looks as though the Wizards will be out him until 2017.
As reported by multiple media outlets, the Wizards released in a statement on Tuesday that Mahinmi will be out for at least six weeks as he undergoes PRP injections on both knees.
Via Twitter:
The latest on Ian Mahinmi, #Wizards say he will undergo PRP. Out for at least the next six weeks. pic.twitter.com/PQfdgOJLka
— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) December 20, 2016
PRP is a platelet-rich plasma injection that helps aid the healing of soft tissue.
Several high-visibility players in the NBA have received PRP injections in the past, including Kobe Bryant, Stephen Curry, Derrick Rose, Wesley Matthews, Brandon Roy, Enes Kanter, among others.
It’s a serious blow for the Wizards, who are 6-4 in December but have the 22nd-ranked defense in terms of efficiency according to Basketball-Reference.com.
Washington’s front line has largely consisted of minutes from Marcin Gortat, Markieff Morris, Kelly Oubre, Jason Smith, and Andrew Nicholson as of late, and it looks like that trend will continue.
