LA Clippers Injury Rumors 2016: Pneumonia Forces DeAndre Jordan to Sit Out
DeAndre Jordan is becoming one of the best centers in the league with his ideal combination of defense and offensive efficiency. But what really makes him unique is that he is able to take care of himself well, avoiding injuries in the process.
But his NBA-leading streak of 360 straight games came to an end Wednesday night when he was diagnosed with pneumonia, thus missing his very first game in a long time. But Jordan was barely missed against the Heat, with his team leading wire-to-wire en route to a 104-90 win.
The 27-year-old center is an integral piece of the Clippers and losing him even for just one game is something the team cannot afford because its other stars have difficulty keeping themselves healthy, including Blake Griffin and Chris Paul.
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Team officials said that Jordan has a "mild case of pneumonia," which hospitalized him. Even the healthiest athletes will feel the effects of this sickness, and Jordan certainly needs to take some time off to rest.
Although he owns the league's longest active streak, he actually is far from breaking the all-time record. But the important thing is that he's proven himself to be a tough nut to crack. A lot of centers in the league face consistent health problems, including knee and hand injuries. But the 35th overall pick of the 2008 Draft did have several injuries throughout his career; however, the difference is that he's been able to play through them.
Jordan was healthy enough to play every single game for the Clippers from the 2011-2012 up to the 2014-2015 season. He trails Randy Smith (595) for the team's longest streak in its history. In his absence, backup center Cole Aldrich is expected to have an extended playing time. It isn't clear, though, when Jordan will be returning to the lineup.
