In 20 games after the Trail Blazers traded for him, Jusuf Nurkic averaged 15.2 points 10.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2 blocks per game. Portland was 9.7 points per 100 possessions better with him on the court and went 14-6, a surge that helped get them into the playoffs. Then a leg fracture had him sidelined for the end of the season and the start of the playoffs.
Until Saturday.
Portland C Jusuf Nurkic will play and start tonight vs. Golden State.
— Trail Blazers PR (@TrailBlazersPR) April 23, 2017
He will play limited minutes, but the Blazers will take it.
Portland is down 0-2 to the Warriors but are coming home to take on a Golden State team that will be without Kevin Durant again (strained calf) and coach Steve Kerr (illness).
Nurkic gives Portland some hope, he certainly helps their defense. We’ll see if that’s enough.
