The Portland Trail Blazers were handed their third consecutive loss by the visiting Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday night. Following the tightly contested Western Conference matchup, Blazers big man Jusuf Nurkic apparently told Clippers head coach Doc Rivers that the only reason his team emerged victorious was because Lady Luck was smiling at them on the evening.
Clippers insider Andrew Greif shared the lighthearted moment between Nurkic and Rivers, which apparently transpired immediately following the Clippers' 104-100 win against the Blazers.
With a wry smile, Jusuf Nurkic saw Doc Rivers in the hallway afterward and said, “You got lucky.” Nurk missed the second half with injury.
— Andrew Greif (@AndrewGreif) November 26, 2018
Nurkic sustained a right shoulder injury in the first half of the matchup and was unable to return to action for the second half. Perhaps he was implying that Rivers and the Clippers got lucky because he wasn't around for the second half to help the Blazers, resulting in a win for LA.
Article Continues BelowNurkic only played 16 minutes, and he finished with four points, eight rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block. The severity of the 24-year-old's injury has yet to be determined at the moment, but it does not appear to be a serious one.
On the season, Jusuf Nurkic has been outstanding for Portland, averaging 15.1 points on 52.5 percent shooting, 10.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.8 steals, and 1.2 blocks in 25.5 minutes of action.
With the defeat, the Blazers are now 12-8 and sitting at the sixth spot in the West. They will look to bounce back and get back to winning ways when they host the Orlando Magic on Wednesday.