Stephen Jackson fractures finger on shooting hand in game against Los Angeles Clippers – NBA News
Stephen Jackson has fractured his pinky finger on his shooting hand during a game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night. Jackson suffered the injury while fighting for the ball with the opposition, and tried to play
through the game with the injury but left after a while as he was unable to shoot. A scan on the finger later revealed that Jackson had fractured the finger, and is now looking at 4 to 6 weeks of recovery time before he can be back with the team.
Jackson was filling in for regular starter Kawhi Leonard, who is not playing currently due to a left knee tendonitis. Leonard is not expected to be back for another week, and that time can increase as well. Jackson was coming off
the bench for the Spurs and averaging 8.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. However, with the loss of both Jackson and Leonard, the Spurs will now need to decide on a player to play the small forward till the time Leonard can return.
Were it any other team in the league, injuries to two players who were covering the same position would have meant a lot of trouble and teams would have found it really difficult to find a replacement. But no team in the league
is built like the San Antonio Spurs and no other team has a coach like Gregg Popovich. Hence, for the Spurs, it is not big problem, as they have players lined up who can start the game. The Spurs can either go small and play Manu Ginobili at the small forward.
He usually comes in as the sixth man in the back court. The Spurs could also upgrade either Tiago Splitter or Gary Neal to play at the three spot. Then they also have Boris Diaw, who is as versatile a player as any in the league. Hence, the Spurs coaching
staff will not be sweating with the upcoming decision. They will pick any one from a list of talent they have on the bench, who can perform in the starting roster.
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