Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
It was just as bad as it looked.
Jacob Evans has a broken nose and concussion after being on the receiving end of Dallas’ Dwight Powell’s elbow to the face on Tuesday.
Evans, who had been contesting a lob, staggered to the floor and lay there for several minutes before he had to be helped off the court. The second-year guard is entering the concussion protocol and has no timetable for a return. Whenever he does come back, he’ll be wearing a mask until his nose heals.
“Obviously concerned for Jacob,” Steve Kerr said before the Warriors faced off against the Nuggets at Chase Center on Thursday, trying to avoid a 10th straight loss. “… Anytime there’s a concussion involved, your main concern is just overall well-being and health. It’s pretty serious stuff. We’ll monitor that closely and hope that things go really well.”
Jacob Evans was helped off the court after taking this hit to the face. pic.twitter.com/heAzgFznDA
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) January 15, 2020
It is a good time for the Warriors to welcome Damion Lee back to the lineup, the guard on a fresh multi-year NBA pact and ready to fill immediate minutes again. The Warriors also will have another big man on the bench, Marquese Chriss returning from being waived and then signed to a two-way deal.
They still are without Kevon Looney, though, the forward having missed all but 21 games this season, out the last 11 with left abdominal soreness.
Kerr said he’s getting closer, but did not want to guess at a return date.
“He’s done more the last week,” Kerr said. “He’s playing one-on-one right now on the practice floor. [Director of sports medicine] Rick [Celebrini] says he’s coming along.”