Brooklyn Nets’ Mirza Teletovic Out for the Season with Blood Clots in Lungs

The Brooklyn Nets have taken another hit to their lineup this season. The team announced Friday that Mirza Teletovic has been diagnosed with bilateral pulmonary embolus and will miss the rest of the season.

Teletovic, 29, was brought to the hospital during Thursday night's game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Teletovic had complained about shortness of breath and underwent several tests.

"He told me he wasn't feeling well, and that's all I know," coach Lionel Hollins said. "He came to the bench and said something was wrong with him, so he asked me to take him out."

A CT scan showed that the six-foot-nine Bosnian had multiple blood clots on his lungs. He has been given blood thinners to treat the clots and will have to stay at the Los Angeles hospital until he is cleared to travel.

Teletovic, a third-year forward, was averaging 8.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 22.3 minutes. Throughout his career, Teletovic averages 7.0 points and 3.4 rebounds. The loss will undoubtedly affect an ailing Nets team. Without Teletovic, Brook Lopez and Mason Plumlee can expect more time tougher on the court, a combination that has not been effective.

"I mean, they play together," Hollins said. "The rotation is Brook, Mason, and KG [Kevin Garnett], and KG doesn't play as much in the middle of the quarter so Mirza gets some of that and Mason gets some of that. We'll just go out there and play with what we have and do the best we can."

The Nets lost the game 123-84.