ATLANTA — The Nets announced Wednesday morning forward Mirza Teletovic is expected to make a full recovery from the blood clots discovered in his lungs last week.
Teletovic left last Thursday’s game against the Clippers and went to the hospital because of shortness of breath before being diagnosed with blood clots. He was immediately put on blood thinners that meant his season was over. Teletovic was discharged Wednesday and was set to fly back to New York later in the day.
“Mirza was diagnosed with pulmonary embolus on January 22 and started on the appropriate medications for this condition,” Nets team physician Michael Farber said in a statement. “Diagnostic testing was arranged and he was then observed until testing showed that he reached the expected therapeutic range. We are pleased to say that he reports no symptoms at this time and that he will be discharged to return home today.
“I expect Mirza to make a full recovery.”
“This was a true collaborative effort between our medical team and training staff and the local physicians at the Los Angeles hospital where Mirza was treated. I am really pleased with how Mirza has progressed. We will evaluate him upon return, personally review all of the testing he had done, and arrange for further testing if necessary.
Teletovic averaged 8.5 points and 4.9 rebounds in 40 games for the Nets this season, his third with the team since coming to the NBA after starring in Europe for the first several years of his career. He will be a restricted free agent this summer.
The news came out last week, but Mason Plumlee made an appearance at the Atlanta studios for NBA TV Tuesday night for the official unveiling of this year’s Slam Dunk Contest participants during All-Star Weekend.
“I’m very excited,” Plumlee said before the Nets’ 113-102 loss to the Hawks. “It’s going to be a lot of fun, and it’s something I always wanted to do.”
Plumlee will represent the Nets as one of four contestants in the competition, along with Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, Magic guard Victor Oladipo and Timberwolves guard Zach LaVine, and will be very familiar with the surroundings. The dunk contest will be held at Barclays Center on Valentine’s Day.
The 6-foot-11 center said the Nets came to him with the idea of participating, and he readily accepted. As for his dunks, he said he’s still got some thinking to do before deciding what he’ll attempt to do.
“I’ll figure out some things,” he said. “You don’t want to go not knowing what you’re doing, so I’ll practice something.”
Plumlee will be busy during All-Star Weekend. In addition to his Slam Dunk appearance, he will also make a second straight showing in the Rising Stars Challenge on Friday night, which also will be held at Barclays Center.
By appearing in both his rookie and sophomore years, Plumlee joins teammate Brook Lopez (2009-10) and former Net Kenyon Martin (2001-02).
Plumlee will be on Team USA, while Nets rookie Bojan Bogdanovic will be a member of the World Team. Bogdanovic, who signed a three-year deal for roughly $10 million this summer, is averaging 7.4 points per game — including 9.5 points in 27 games as a starter.