While the Trail Blazers are off to an impressive start to the 2022-23 season, injuries have plagued superstar guard Damian Lillard, who re-aggravated a right calf injury against the Jazz on Saturday, Nov. 19, forcing him to exit the game early.
Lillard first suffered a calf injury on Oct. 26, forcing him to miss four games before he returned to the lineup 11 days later. That his latest injury is in the same area is already a cause of some concern for the team.
Here's everything we know about Lillard's newest ailment and the latest on when he may return to the court.
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What is Damian Lillard's injury?
Lillard underwent an MRI that revealed a right calf strain in a different area from his previous injury, according to Turner Sports' Chris Haynes.
The Trail Blazers announced that Lillard suffered a Grade 1 strain of the soleus muscle.
Damian Lillard injury update.
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) November 21, 2022
🔗: https://t.co/GMnnzmG8yP
Similar to his first injury, Lillard downplayed his calf injury following the game, telling reporters that the pain wasn't as bad as it was the first time. Lillard's injury being in a different part of his leg could partly explain the difference in pain from the first injury to the second.
Lillard was limited to 27 minutes against the Jazz. In that time, he scored 13 points on rough 2-of-14 shooting from the field, including 1-of-12 from beyond the arc.
This season, Lillard is averaging 26.3 points, 7.0 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game. Portland is 7-2 when Lillard starts and finishes a game.
How long will Damian Lillard be out?
According to Haynes, Lillard is "targeting a return date of Dec. 4." On Sunday, the Trail Blazers will kick off a four-game homestand with a matchup against the Pacers.
"Damian Lillard is targeting a return date of December 4th here in Portland against the Indiana Pacers."@ChrisBHaynes shares the latest timetable on Damian Lillard pic.twitter.com/INj9lQxYbq
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) November 30, 2022
Lillard missed four games over a span of 11 days with his first calf injury. Last season, he missed 53 games with an abdominal injury.
Trail Blazers upcoming schedule
| Date | Matchup | Time (ET) |
| Nov. 30 | at Lakers | 10:30 p.m. |
| Dec. 3 | at Jazz | 9 p.m. |
| Dec. 4 | vs. Pacers | 9 p.m. |
| Dec. 8 | vs. Nuggets | 10 p.m. |
| Dec. 10 | vs. Timberwolves | 10 p.m. |
| Dec. 12 | vs. Timberwolves | 10 p.m. |
| Dec. 14 | at Spurs | 8 p.m. |
| Dec. 16 | at Mavericks | 8:30 p.m. |
| Dec. 17 | at Rockets | 8 p.m. |
| Dec. 19 | at Thunder | 8 p.m. |
