6:52 pm: Portland announced Krejci will miss Friday’s matchup with the Lakers after a left ankle fracture (Twitter link). No timetable for his return appears on the injury report.
7:55 am: Trail Blazers swingman Vit Krejci likely faces a long rehab after a left lower‑leg injury in Wednesday’s victory over Phoenix, reports Joe Freeman of The Oregonian.
Coach Micah Nori told the media Krejci sustained a fracture, but officials aren’t sure if it’s in his leg or ankle. Either way, he’s expected to miss action for the foreseeable future.
In the third quarter, Krejci sprinted back and tried to draw a charge on Suns forward Miles Bridges (Twitter video link). A misstep sent him crashing, clutching his lower leg in clear agony. Teammates Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams escorted him off moments later.
Freeman noted Krejci exited the arena on crutches, his left foot encased in a protective boot.
“It’s tough,” Clingan said. “He’s maximized his minutes, and watching a player of his caliber go down hurts. Still, we’ve got his back.”
Nori said the locker room felt “very somber” after the victory, and surgery for Krejci remains an open question.
Freeman points out this marks the third significant blow to Portland’s backcourt this season. Shaedon Sharpe had knee surgery in August, sidelined for six months, and Ja Morant suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain last week, likely missing a minimum of four weeks.
Despite Sharpe, Morant and Krejci being out, the 6‑1 Blazers still count on Damian Lillard, Scoot Henderson and Jrue Holiday to fill the backcourt. Two‑way talent Chris Youngblood may see a boost in minutes until a guard returns. For my money, that core can keep Portland competitive.
“It’s awful for Vit,” Nori remarked, per Freeman. “We discussed this summer—what will you do with all these smalls? Thank goodness we have them all now.”
Acquired at the trade deadline, Krejci posted 7.2 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 19.2 minutes over 19 bench appearances late in the season. This fall he began sluggishly, tallying 2.7 PPG, 1.6 RPG and 1.1 APG in his first seven games (10.3 MPG) while shooting 30.0% overall. Will his recovery allow him to regain that production?