Eric Bledsoe to miss 2 weeks with an avulsion fracture

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 06: Eric Bledsoe #6 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts in the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Fiserv Forum on April 06, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

Milwaukee Bucks’ point guard Eric Bledsoe injured his ankle Friday night and is expected to be sidelined for at least two weeks.

The Milwaukee Bucks are arguably the NBA’s best team and have wreaked havoc on the league as of late, riding the coattails of reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to an 18-game winning streak. However, the team is expected to be without starting point guard Eric Bledsoe for at least two weeks after he suffered an avulsion fracture of his right fibula during Friday night’s victory against the Memphis Grizzlies.

An avulsion fracture of the fibula occurs when a small piece of bone is torn away from the lateral malleolus, the bump of bone located at the outside of the ankle. This is a fairly common injury that occurs concordantly with an inversion ankle sprain (i.e. rolling the ankle). While it sounds serious, avulsion ankle fractures often heal quickly. Because the bone chip is often small and minimally displaced, reduction (or resetting) of the fracture isn’t needed. This means surgery is often avoided and the injury will heal on its own.

Typical treatment involves the athlete wearing a boot or ankle brace for a short period of time followed by rehabilitation to regain any lost range of motion and strength. If the fracture is small enough, the athlete may not even need to wear a boot beyond a couple of days.

Prior to his injury, Bledsoe was arguably playing the best basketball of his 11-year career. Bledsoe is currently third on the Bucks in plus/minus with a +228 (Antetokounmpo, +294, and Wesley Matthews, +252, lead the way) and the team has a net rating of +15.0 when he is on the court.

The Bucks play seven games over the next 14 days, including contests against the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, and Philadelphia 76ers. Second-year guard Donte DiVincenzo (15 points, five rebounds, and four assists) got the start for the injured Bledsoe during the Bucks 125-108 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night and will likely get the nod moving forward until Bledsoe is healthy enough to return.

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