San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan suffered a fractured left thumb and is scheduled to undergo surgery this week, the team announced Tuesday. Sochan, 21, was injured in the second quarter of Monday’s 113-104 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers and missed the rest of the game.
San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan suffered a fracture in the proximal phalanx of his left thumb
The Spurs said Sochan suffered a fracture in the proximal phalanx of his left thumb. However, they did not announce a timeline for his return.
Thumb fractures require 3-6 weeks to fully recover, according to Campbell Clinic Orthopaedics. The proximal phalanx extends from the base of the thumb to the knuckle.
The Spurs selected Sochan with the No. 9 pick in the 2022 NBA draft out of Baylor. The 6-foot-8 wing has averaged 11.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in 28.1 minutes through 137 career regular-season games (133 starts).
San Antonio Spurs F Jeremy Sochan has suffered a fractured left thumb and is scheduled to have surgery this week, sources tell ESPN. Sochan has made a leap so far this season, averaging 15.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3 assists. pic.twitter.com/LtlI1nAnZe
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 5, 2024
Through seven games (all starts) this season, Sochan was averaging career highs 15.4 points and 7.7 rebounds per game in his third season with the Spurs, along with 3.0 assists and 1.0 steal in 29.3 minutes.
In San Antonio’s 106-101 loss to the Houston Rockets on Oct. 28, he recorded a season-high 22 points on 9-of-19 (47.4%) shooting from the field and 4-of-5 (80%) at the free throw line.
According to Basketball-Reference, along with maintaining a higher scoring efficiency over his previous two seasons, he was also posting a career-high 109 defensive rating.
Sochan has a couple of flaws, says coach Gregg Popovich
Earlier this year, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was asked if Sochan had any potential flaws in his sophomore season. The five-time NBA champ and three-time Coach of the Year gave his honest response.
“He goes too fast sometimes, and we’ve just got to get him to slow down,” Popovich told ESPN. “He gets rolling and skips a few steps in there, but he’s an aggressive kind of player. I think when he learns a little bit more about pace… he’ll make some better plays.”
Furthermore, rookie guard Stephon Castle is expected to see more playing time during Sochan’s absence. Castle started the second half of Monday’s game in place of Sochan.
San Antonio is also preparing to welcome back Devin Vassell, who has missed the beginning of the season with a stress fracture in his right foot.
Popovich told reporters on Oct. 8 that he expected Vassell back during the first week of November. In addition to Vassell, Tre Jones remains out with an ankle sprain as well.
The Spurs visit Houston on Wednesday and host the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday. San Antonio (3-4) currently ranks 12th in the Western Conference standings.
