A Monday MRI revealed that Chandler Parsons has torn his meniscus in his right knee, reports ESPN.com's Tim MacMahon. The result is likely to be season-ending arthroscopic knee surgery. This is the same knee on which Parsons had hybrid microfracture surgery over the summer. Parsons' Dallas Mavericks are in the middle of a heated battle for one of the last playoff spots in the West. Parsons is also eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
Chandler Parsons tore his meniscus, likely out for the season
The Mavericks lose their stud wing for the second straight playoff run.
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Parsons’ right knee has been problematic since last spring, when he missed the final two weeks and 12 of the last 24 games of the regular season due to soreness. He played 37 minutes in Game 1 of the Mavs’ first-round series against Houston, then missed the rest of the series because of the knee. The Mavericks announced he’d have minor offseason knee surgery. It later became known that he had hybrid microfracture surgery, a far more invasive, intensive procedure that ended up costing Parsons all of training camp and preseason. Parsons was on a minutes limit for much of November.
It’s unclear whether Parsons playing on the injured knee contributed to the need for microfracture a year ago or the torn meniscus now, but it doesn’t look good.
After a slow start to the season, Parsons has been excellent since the All-Star break, averaging 17.6 points per game on 52 percent shooting. He’s a key wing for Dallas and his absence could give the Mavs’ rivals in the West playoff chase new life.
Parson has a $16 million player option for 2016-17. Before this injury, it seemed obvious that he’d be able to make more on the open market given the salary cap boom. That is likely to still be the case. Rumors have linked him to the Orlando Magic, who have cap space galore. Parsons is a Florida native.
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