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Derrick Jones, Jr. suffered an injury, later identified as a back contusion, during the third quarter of the Portland Trail Blazers’ game with the Denver Nuggets tonight. Jones sustained the bruise off of a fall after an alley-oop at the 10:36 mark of the third quarter.
Here’s video of the play, courtesy of NBCSports Northwest.
DJJ throws down a monster jam, but takes a hard fall in the process.#RipCity
— NBC Sports Northwest (@NBCSNorthwest) December 19, 2020
Stream: https://t.co/Qw6YqQ11wx pic.twitter.com/wvn5dotaxj
He was removed from the game and soon after the team announced he would not return.
Jones joined the Blazers this season, signing as a free agent after playing the last 2.5 seasons with the Miami Heat. He has since started at small forward for the Blazers during all four pre-season games. He earned the 2020 Slam Dunk Contest crown during All-Star weekend and is known as one of the best high-flyers in the NBA.
The Blazers will begin the 2020-21 regular season next Wednesday night, hosting the Utah Jazz.
We will bring you updates as news filters out.