MANILA, Philippines - The Los Angeles Lakers have cause for concern after Jordan Clarkson left Thursday’s NBA preseason game after complaining of shoulder numbness.
The 23-year-old sophomore guard left the Lakers’ loss against the Golden State Warriors in the second quarter and did not return. The Los Angeles Times is calling the injury a “sprained right shoulder,” though Clarkson is reportedly scheduled to undergo an MRI to determine the extent of the damage.
“My arm, it felt numb for a second,” Clarkson was quoted by the Los Angeles Times. Clarkson was seen leaving the game with 6:17 left in the second quarter while clutching his right arm.
Clarkson is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Friday (Saturday Manila time), Lakers coach Byron Scott tells the LA Times, but Clarkson is adamant that he’ll be ready to go for the regular season opener on Wednesday, October 28 in LA.
“I think it's minor. I guess we'll just see tomorrow. It was just a sharp pain. That's all I can tell you,” said Clarkson.
The 6-foot-4 Clarkson was named to the All-Rookie team after logging 11.9 and 3.6 assists per game.
Clarkson’s injury may also bring some worries to fans of the Philippine national basketball team known as Gilas Pilipinas.
The Filipino-American player from San Antonio, Tex. was one of the Gilas’ chief supporters during their run through the recently conclude 2015 FIBA Asia Championship. He was named to the pool but was unable to play for the Philippines due in part to a scheduling conflict with Laker training camp.
He pledged his support for the Philippines’ “road to redemption” in 2016 following the Philippines’ loss to China in the FIBA Asia final on his Twitter account. Gilas Pilipinas has qualified for the FIBA Olympic qualifying tournament, which takes place from July 5 to 16, for the Rio Games. – Rappler.com