The Washington Wizards are already suffering from a litany of injuries. Josh Howard has yet to play this season, while John Wall and Andray Blatche have missed significant time with several ailments. But the line in the infirmary just got longer.
Via CSN's Chris Miller, Yi Jianlian sprained his already-injured right knee in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers and will not return. Yi, who has already missed nine games of his own this season, had to be helped off of the court by his teammates after colliding with Lakers forward Ron Artest during a play in the paint. Artest would score despite being fouled, but Yi clutched his knee and seemed to not put any weight on it.
Yi suffered a knee injury against the Chicago Bulls earlier this season and upon his return has been inserted into the Wizards' starting lineup because of Blatche's injury problems. The Wizards' bench continues to get thinner.