Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ty Jerome missed all three preseason games due to a left ankle sprain, head coach Mark Daigneault said on Tuesday.
Jerome, a second-year player, will also miss the opening game of the season because of the injury.
The 23-year-old was acquired from the Phoenix Suns as part of the Chris Paul trade. He is the only player moved in that deal who remains on Oklahoma City.
He appeared for 31 games last season for Phoenix. In 10.6 minutes per contest, he averaged 3.3 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists on 33.6% shooting from the field and 28% from deep.
Jerome struggled to find a role on the team after a right ankle injury caused his season debut to be delayed.
According to Bright Side of the Sun, that right ankle sprain was the first serious injury he had suffered in his basketball career.
Jerome will be a backup guard candidate for the Thunder should he be healthy. He played point and shooting guard at times for the Suns, and ran Virginia’s offense as the starter for two seasons, the final of which the Cavaliers won the NCAA Championship.
The guard is likely to miss more than just the opener against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday Daigneault said Jerome will be out “until further notice.”
Oklahoma City opens its season against the Rockets is a 7 p.m. tipoff Wednesday night.
