Report: Clippers' Jones out at least 6 weeks with MCL sprain
Los Angeles Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr. will miss at least six weeks after being diagnosed with a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his right knee, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.
Jones sustained the injury in the fourth quarter Saturday against the Boston Celtics when Payton Pritchard fell onto the Clippers veteran's leg as he fought for a loose ball.
Derrick Jones Jr. got injured in Boston in November when Jaylen Brown fell on his leg, and again tonight with his foot getting caught under Payton Pritchard
— Darko Dželetović (@DarkoBasketball) January 4, 2026
This is eerily similar to how Batum’s fall on Bojan Bogdanović’s foot ended Bojan’s career pic.twitter.com/aws5acv25A
Jones suffered the same injury to the same knee in a similar incident versus the Celtics in November.
In that case, the Pennsylvania native missed 17 games before returning to the lineup Dec. 28 against the Detroit Pistons.
Jones is averaging career highs in both points (10.4 per game) and 3-point percentage (40%) across 17 appearances this season. He's been one of the team's top perimeter defenders when healthy.
Los Angeles sits three games back of the Memphis Grizzlies for the West's final play-in tournament spot.