Rudy Gobert injury update: Jazz center questionable for Game 4 vs. Clippers

After losing Rudy Gobert very quickly in Game 1, the Utah Jazz may get their best big man back for Game 4 against the Clippers.

During the first possession of Game 1 against the Los Angles Clippers, the Utah Jazz lost center Rudy Gobert to a left knee injury as he took some knee-to-knee contact while setting a screen. He appeared to have avoided a major injury, with a hyperextension and a bone bruise shown on an MRI, but Gobert seemed unlikely to suit up again during Utah’s first-round series.

But as the Clippers deal with the absence of their own star, with forward Blake Griffin (toe) out for however long they last in these playoffs, the Jazz have a chance to get Gobert back for Sunday night’s Game 4.

Reports on Gobert’s status for Game were not particularly positive on Saturday, from unlikely to play to doubtful. So Sunday’s upgrade, even to a 50-50 chance he plays, is a positive development heading into a must-win home game for Utah.

Gobert led the league in blocks per game during the regular season (2.6 per game), which helped the Jazz lead the league in points allowed (96.8 per game) and in a tie for second in the league in opponents field goal percentage (44.3 percent).

Gobert also averaged 14.0 points and 12.8 rebounds per game during the regular season, while making over 66 percent of his field goal attempts, so his overall presence has been missed and will be welcome if and when he can he can return. Derrick Favors, who has played at least 30 minutes in all three games against the Clippers after being limited by an ongoing knee issue of his own late in the season, would also benefit from a lesser role with Gobert back on the floor.

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A more definite word on Gobert’s status will come between now and tip-off, which is scheduled for 9 p.m ET.