In the midst of his best start to an NBA season, J.J. Barea said Thursday he will miss about a month and a half of action with the Dallas Mavericks due to a left leg injury.
Shortly after being evaluated by the organization's medical staff, Barea spoke with El Nuevo Día and revealed he suffered a tear in a muscle connecting his left calf to his Achilles tendon.
Barea said he will need to rest for an entire month, adding that he will use a special walking boot for the next few weeks. Barea was hurt in Wednesday night's 90-83 loss to the Boston Celtics.
"Thank God there is no damage to the Achilles tendon and no surgery is required. I have a tear in the muscle between my calf and the tendon. I will have to use a walking boot for two weeks and won't partake in any physical activity for the next month. I estimate that I will be out for about a month and a half. It could have been worse," Barea said, after suffering the noncontact injury while dribbling.
The 11th-year veteran is off to his best start in the NBA, averaging 16.3 points, 5.4 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game. He's also averaging a career-high 33.1 minutes. Barea has started five games in light of Deron Williams' injury.
"The timing of the injury is horrible because I was playing the best basketball of my career, taking advantage of every minute. It's a matter of resting and trying to return as quickly as possible," said Barea, whose team is off to a 2-8 start.