Understanding Rudy Gobert’s Grade 2 MCL Sprain

• Post By: Jeff Stotts
• Date: December 2, 2015
• Category: NBA, Understanding...

The Utah Jazz will be without the services of center Rudy Gobert after he suffered a Grade II medial collateral ligament (MCL) sprain in his left knee. Utah has ruled him out indefinitely.

BREAKING: @rudygobert27 out indefinitely with Grade II sprain of the MCL in his left knee: https://t.co/ND1HdXIWGQ pic.twitter.com/iVKVz4X6bk

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 2, 2015

The MCL, along with the LCL and cruciate ligaments, acts as a primary stabilizer of the knee. Specifically it is responsible for supporting the knee in side-to-side movements. The MCL is most commonly injured when the outside of the knee is hit, forcing the inner (medial) portion of the joint outward. When this values stress pushes the MCL past its yield point, the ligament becomes sprained.

The Grade II classification applied to Gobert’s injury means the ligament has been moderately over-stretched and likely has an incomplete or partial tear. Fortunately sprains of this severity can heal without surgical intervention, especially if the medial meniscus is not involved. This appears to be the case with Gobert as the Jazz stated surgery will not be required.

Instead Gobert will spend the next few weeks with first year athletic trainer Brian Zettler and the other members of the well-respected Utah medical staff. The InStreetClothes.com injury database has 11 in-season examples of Grade II MCL sprains, including Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, and Nene. The average number of games missed for these players sits at 22 games or roughly six weeks.

If Gobert is sidelined for the average number of games he would be out until January 14. Over that stretch, Utah plays 13 home games and nine road games. The road games are particularly tough including a back-to-back road matchup against the Thunder and Spurs next week and a trip to face the Warriors in Oracle a few days later. Another road back-to-back awaits them in early January this time in San Antonio and Houston.

Gobert’s injury is an unfortunate setback for a team currently seeded seventh in the West with legitimate playoff aspirations. However the big man is in good hands and Jazz fans can expect Zettler and his team to diligently work to get Gobert back on the court as soon as possible.

 

*For those interested I once used a Twizzlers to help visualize a Grade 2 MCL sprain.