UPDATE: Portland Trail Blazers guard/forward Matisse Thybulle has undergone urgent surgery to repair a ligament in his left thumb, according to an announcement by the team just minutes ago. The procedure took place on October 25, 2023, following an injury sustained during a game against Utah on October 24.
Thybulle suffered the injury while sprinting down the court on a fast break at the end of the first quarter. He was visibly in pain, clutching his left hand, and exited the game at the start of the second quarter. An MRI conducted on Thursday confirmed a tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his thumb, necessitating immediate surgical intervention.
The 28-year-old player is expected to be reevaluated in four to six weeks. This news comes as a blow to the Trail Blazers, who were counting on Thybulle’s defensive prowess this season. Last year, he missed a substantial portion of the season due to knee and ankle injuries but returned to make a significant impact, recording 33 steals and nine blocks in the final 15 games.
As the Trail Blazers face the Denver Nuggets tonight, the team must navigate this setback without Thybulle, who has averaged five points and one rebound this season. Fans and analysts alike will be closely monitoring how this injury affects the team’s performance moving forward.
Stay tuned for further updates on Thybulle’s recovery and the Trail Blazers’ upcoming games as they adjust to this critical loss.
