After undergoing an MRI, Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard has been diagnosed with lower abdominal tendinopathy, the team announced today in a press release.
Lillard, who was unavailable for Portland’s win over Detroit on Tuesday, will be reevaluated in 10 days, according to the Blazers. That means he’ll miss at least the team’s next four games, against the Spurs (Thursday), Celtics (Saturday), Clippers (next Monday), and Warriors (next Wednesday).
Lillard had gotten off to a bit of a slow start this season, averaging 21.5 PPG with a .397 FG% and a .302 3PT% through 20 games (35.7 MPG). That scoring average would be his lowest mark since 2014/15, while the shooting numbers are career worsts. The Blazers will be hoping he performs more consistently at his usual All-NBA level when he returns.
The Blazers announced some more injury news on Wednesday, stating in a press release that forward Nassir Little will be reevaluated in a week after spraining his left ankle on Monday.
Little, who also missed Tuesday’s game, has taken a step forward in his third NBA season. The 21-year-old is averaging 8.3 PPG and 5.3 RPG in 21 games (22.4 MPG) as one of Portland’s most-used reserves.
With Lillard and Little out and Norman Powell battling a quad issue, the Blazers’ depth will be tested in the short term. CJ McCollum, Jusuf Nurkic, and Anfernee Simons will have to handle more of the scoring load, while bench players like Tony Snell, Dennis Smith Jr. and Ben McLemore should see more consistent minutes.
Looking already like a play-in team … #FreeDame campaign will come sooner
Lillard going nowhere. Free Jungle Jim Luscutoff has more traction.
Could be injured, it would explain his atrocious play…
With the talks of trade, the team for sale, Billups hire, Pres. Of Basketball Operations resigning, Bum-GM Olshey, Dead Owner…
Normally it will get ugly fast anywhere this happens in the NBA, but we will see
Dam abs are injured since the olympics
This and the stories below are why early season polls are just click bait. The butterflies are flapping their wings.
Seriously?!?
Dame isn’t having a bit of a slow start Luke he has been outrageously bad!
Yous must be a fan of his!
Right now POR would have to add a bunch of first to Dame to swap him for a washed out all-star… his trade value is sooo below zero that we lost sight of him!
I do really like Dame, but I am afraid that at his age his best years are well & truly behind him by now, sad to say but dude just ain’t getting there this year, maybe the rest will help him to pick up some energy!
Don, your application to be an NBA GM has been denied, but we wish you well in your future endeavors.
I was referring to polls about who will win the West that are offered up with 60 games to go. Four big time players got injured the day after the poll.
Dame is a great player to watch, no argument from me.
So no All Star team for Lilliard this year, he aint playing like one.
Blazers will see the writing on the wall soon. Certainly by the trade deadline.