When Warriors forward David Lee went down to the floor Saturday in Golden State's 97-95 loss to the Denver Nuggets in Game 1 of a seven-game series, the team initially diagnosed a strained hip flexor.
After undergoing an MRI, however, it was revealed that Lee suffered a complete tear of the hip flexor that will keep him out of action for the remainder of the postseason. The injury to Lee will be a tremendous blow to the Warriors' chances of upsetting the Nuggets in this first-round series.
Following Game 1, Warriors coach Mark Jackson referred to Lee as one of the team's "highlighted" players. That would appear to be an understatement; all season Lee has been far and away the Warriors' top big man, averaging 18.5 points and 11.2 rebounds and 36 minutes a night.
When news came down that he was done for the entirety of the playoffs, Jackson's comments reflected the dire situation Golden State's frontcourt is in. "We can't replace him, and we know that. And that's the thing we have to know right away. He's an All-Star power forward who's had an incredible year. But we have some guys on our bench that can do some things to cover up his absence. But we cannot replace David Lee."
Lee said he knew the injury was severe as soon as it happened. "I knew last night when I did it. I felt it pop. So I knew we were going to get the results we did this morning. I went to run back on defense and had absolutely no sensation in my leg. It wasn't even painful as much as it was just [numb]."
Doctors said Lee will not need surgery, and the road to recovery includes, rest, rehabilitation and time. Lee is hopeful to be 100 percent by midsummer and participate in training camp. He will be replaced by Carl Landry in the starting lineup.
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