Raul Neto Injures Groin; Out For Lakers Game

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Jazz announced their injury report for their upcoming game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night. Third-string point guard Raul Neto is out with a left groin strain. He will be reevaluated early next week.

Neto joins the long list of Jazz players that are out with injuries, including starting point guard Ricky Rubio and backup Dante Exum. Rubio is nursing a right groin strain and Exum is out with a left ankle sprain.

Thabo Sefolosha remains out with a right groin strain, Grayson Allen will miss another game with a right ankle sprain and Tony Bradley is out after having knee surgery.

Grayson Allen – OUT (right ankle sprain)

Tony Bradley – OUT (right knee surgery)

Danté Exum – OUT (left ankle sprain)

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 11, 2019

Neto played 29 minutes against Milwaukee on Monday night after Rubio went out with his injury. He had 10 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Neto started against Orlando and played 31 minutes while scoring 10 points, pulling down 3 rebounds and dishing out 3 assists.

Unless the Utah Jazz sign a free agent point guard, which they would have to waive someone because their roster is full, Utah will likely start Donovan Mitchell at point guard and bring in Royce O’Neale to accompany him in the backcourt. Mitchell will likely play strictly at point guard until one of the three injured players return to the lineup.

Joe Ingles can also run the point guard position with his ball handling skills and basketball IQ to run the offense. Jazz head coach Quin Snyder will have to get creative with his rotation. Another player off the bench that could see some minutes for Utah is Naz Mitrou-Long, who is on a two-way contract between the Salt Lake City Stars of the G-League and the Utah Jazz.