Clippers reserve center Mason Plumlee is expected to miss two months or longer because of a sprained medial collateral ligament, The Athletic’s Shams Charania was first to report.
Plumlee’s left knee injury is not considered season-ending, but it leaves the Clippers without a center to back up Ivica Zubac. The team reportedly is looking at trading for Indiana Pacers big man Daniel Theis, who shined at the recent FIBA World Cup in helping Germany to a gold medal.
For the Pacers this season, Theis has played limited minutes in seven games, averaging 7.0 points, 3.1 rebounds and 0.9 blocked shots in 15.6 minutes.
Plumlee suffered the injury in a 111-97 loss to the New York Knicks when Julius Randle collided with the center while chasing a loose ball. Plumlee was carried off the Madison Square Garden court and returned to Los Angeles for further evaluation.
Plumlee, who re-signed with the Clippers this summer after joining the team after February’s trade deadline, has appeared in six games and averaged 5.0 points and 5.5 rebounds.
