Portland Trail Blazers center Pau Gasol will not be playing for the team in their opening night game against the Denver Nuggets. Gasol is still rehabbing from a left foot injury.
Pau Gasol (left foot rehab) says he will not be ready to play opening night for the Blazers.
— Joe Freeman (@BlazerFreeman) October 19, 2019
The Blazers signed Gasol to a one-year deal this summer because they believe his championship experience will help the team succeed this season. They knew all along that the Spaniard was still rehabbing the foot he injured earlier last season, but it was a risk they were willing to take.
Portland will rely on the services of Hassan Whiteside and Zach Collins while waiting for Gasol and Jusuf Nurkic to fully recover from their respective injuries.
Last season, Gasol has requested a buyout from the San Antonio Spurs so that he could play for a contender. His request was eventually granted back in February, which paved the way for him to join the Milwaukee Bucks.
Unfortunately, after just three games with the Bucks, he suffered an ankle injury. Initial reports stated that he'd only miss a month, but up to this point, he hasn't been cleared to play.
Gasol has been plagued by injuries over the past couple of seasons, and there's no telling if he's going to stay healthy for the Blazers moving forward. Fortunately, the team has Whiteside and Collins to cover for their lack of depth at the center position. Both guys are younger and more athletic, which means that Pau's absence wouldn't hurt them that much.
Still, it would be nice to see Gasol back on the court, playing for a contender once again
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