Portland has a slightly extended All-Star Break that will benefit the injured Damian Lillard.
Lillard, who was named to his fifth All-Star game, did not participate in the weekend festivities, besides performing as Dame D.O.L.L.A. in Chicago.
The eighth-year guard has a right groin strain and is expected to miss 1-2 weeks, Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes reports, which means he could be good to go when the Trailblazers host the Pelicans Friday at home at 7:30 PST on national television.
Portland (25-31) is currently four games out of eighth place in the West and is No. 9 seed. The Memphis Grizzlies hold that final playoff spot as of now. New Orleans (23-32), on the other hand, is in 11th place but has been surging since Zion Williamson joined the team a few weeks ago. The rookie forward is averaging 22.1 points on 58 percent shooting to go with 7.5 rebounds per game.
New Orleans is 6-5 since Williamson joined the young core of Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart and Lonzo Ball that the team got in return for Anthony Davis in a blockbuster summer trade. Ingram’s 24.9 points per game leads the team, while Lonzo Ball’s 6.7 assists per game also top the Pelicans.
If Lillard is to miss significant time with his groin injury, it would sideline the player with the most momentum heading into the All-Star Game. He is averaging nearly 38 points per game over his last 12 games. Portland is 7-5 in that stretch, which has seen Lillard explode for 50 or more points three times.
His return will be important for Portland’s second-half campaign. The Trailblazers have made six straight playoff appearances, but that streak is currently in doubt.
Portland will be forced to lean on guard C.J. McCollum (21.3 points per game) in Lillard’s potential absence.
(Photo via Bleacher Report)
Trailblazers upcoming schedule:
- 2/21 vs. New Orleans at 7:30 p.m. PST
- 2/23 vs. Detroit at 6 p.m PST
- 2/25 vs. Boston 7 p.m. PST
- 2/27 @ Atlanta 5 p.m. PST
- 2/29 @ Indiana 4:30 p.m. PST
Kyle's Sports Communication Blog 