Canada’s national basketball team is facing another headache ahead FIBA World Cup in China. After most of their star players deciding to sit out the tournament, Canada now might also lose Miami Heat’s center Kelly Olynyk.
During a FIBA exhibition game on Wednesday against Nigeria, Olynyk suffered a knee injury that could jeopardize his appearance in the World Cup. The 28-year-old slipped on a wet spot, which caused him to fall hard on his knee. He then had to be helped off the floor.
There is still no information about the extent of Olynyk’s injury, but more information should be available once he undergoes X-Ray tests.
With the likes of Denver Nuggets’s Jamal Murray and Minnesota Timberwolves’ Andrew Wiggins deciding not to participate at the World Cup, Kelly Olynyk and Cory Joseph remained the only NBA players on Canada’s roster. The duo was expected to carry the team to a successful tournament in attempts to secure a place on 2020 Summer Olympics. If Olynyk, however, ends up facing a long break, that is highly unlikely to happen.
Olynyk played 79 games in the last season with the Heat, averaging 10.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. He was also efficient from the three-point range, making 35.4 percent of his shots.
