Earl Clark Injury: Sore Knee Likely to Sideline Orlando Magic Forward against Utah Jazz, According to Report

The Orlando Magic's thin frontcourt might get even thinner Saturday night against the Utah Jazz as an injury will "likely" to rule out combo forward Earl Clark, reports Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel. Coach Stan Van Gundy told the media Saturday afternoon that Clark's knee is sore.

Clark, 24, had seen his role increase after injuries to Hedo Turkoglu and Dwight Howard, the Magic's starters at small forward and center, respectively. The third-year pro has averaged 19.5 minutes per game in Orlando's last seven contests, posting 5.1 points and 4.3 rebounds. In back-to-back games against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Philadelphia 76ers earlier in the week, he tallied 27 points and 12 boards in over 57 minutes.

Orlando acquired Clark from the Phoenix Suns in December 2010 and re-signed him to a two-year contract the following December, with the second year a player option.

Clark's injury leaves Orlando with just four healthy big men--two of them rookies--at power forward and center. Ryan Anderson and Glen Davis have become Orlando's starting four and five, respectively, with Daniel Orton earning minutes as Davis' backup. The infrequently used Justin Harper could see time at power forward. Harper has logged only 35 minutes across 10 appearances in 2011/12.

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