Damian Lillard Injury Update: Trail Blazers sidelined for at least 10 days with lower abdominal tendon disease

NS Portland Trail Blazers At least there won’t be their best player for the next few games. On Wednesday, Blazers announced that the MRI has confirmed All-Star protection Damian Lillard lower abdominal tendon disease. As a result, Lillard will have to sit out and reassess in 10 days.

Lillard missed Portland’s 110-92 win first Detroit Pistons on Tuesday to manage an injury, which he has had to deal with since playing Olympic in the off-season.

Here is the statement from the Blazers:

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirms Portland guard Damian Lillard has tendon disease in his lower abdomen, it was announced today by president of basketball operations Neil Olshey. Lillard will continue her recovery process and be reassessed in 10 days.

Across 20 games (all starts) this season, Lillard is averaging 21.5 points (39.7% FG, 30.2% 3-PT, 91.1% FT), 4.0 rebounds, 7, 8 assists and 35.7 minutes for the Trail Blazers.

In Lillard’s absence, Anfernee Simons will likely slip into the starting point guard for Portland, while Dennis Smith Jr. will also likely see an increase in minutes. Perhaps CJ McCollum will also take on some more ball handling and assist duties.

The Blazers are currently 10th in the Western Conference with an 11-11 record, and now they’ll have to try to stay afloat without Lillard. Portland has six games in the next two weeks, starting with a home game against San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night. Then they will organize Boston Celtics on Saturday night and Los Angeles Clippers on the second night. Then they will travel to face Golden Empire Warriors before going back home to celebrate Minnesota Timberwolves and Phoenix Suns. If Portland can win at least half of those games in Lillard’s absence, they should be able to survive the playoffs in the West.