Brooklyn Nets power forward Mirza Teletovic has been diagnosed with multiple blood clots in his lungs and will miss the remainder of the NBA season, the club announced Friday.
The 29-year-old captain of Bosnia and Herzegovina's national team left Thursday's game at the Los Angeles Clippers and was taken to a hospital after experiencing shortness of breath late in the second quarter of a 123-84 Nets loss.
Medical tests, including a CT scan, revealed the blood clots. He was diagnosed with bilateral pulmonary embolus, which while considered life-threatening has greatly reduced risks with prompt treatment.
Teletovic, who is now taking blood thinning medicines, will stay in Los Angeles to determine a course of treatment before returning to New York.
"I'm shocked," Nets forward Mason Plumlee said. "Mirza is a really well-liked guy and a big part of what we do. My thoughts are with him and his family."
Over 40 games this season, Teletovic averaged 8.5 points and a career-best 4.9 rebounds. Over three NBA seasons, he has averaged 7.0 points and 3.4 rebounds in 165 games. Before that, he helped Tau Ceramica win 2008 and 2010 Spanish league titles.
The Nets are also without injured guard Deron Williams, who has a broken left rib. They are 18-25, level with Charlotte for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
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