The Trail Blazers can ill afford to continue to lose key players as the playoffs near, but two more Portland players left due to injury in Monday's 101-90 loss to the Thunder.
Forward Nicolas Batum (right knee) and guard C.J. McCollum (left ankle sprain) did not return to the game after going down in the second and third quarters, respectively.
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Portland said X-rays on Batum's knee were negative, but the fact that it was a non-contact injury could be troublesome as he needed assistance to get to the locker room, according to ESPN.
Here's the play that sent Nico to the locker room. https://t.co/8QX5DsNeGS
— Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) April 14, 2015McCollum had been filling in for starting shooting guard Wesley Matthews, who went down for the season in March with a ruptured Achilles'.
CJ McCollum (left ankle sprain) will not return. https://t.co/InySMw22Du
— Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) April 14, 2015While it's yet to be determined how long Batum and McCollum will be out of the lineup, the Blazers will need them back soon if they are to have a chance to advance as the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference playoffs. In addition to Matthews, star forward LaMarcus Aldridge has been in and out of the lineup with a foot injury, while shooting guard Arron Afflalo (shoulder strain) and small forward Dorell Wright (fractured hand) will both be out for the immediate future.
Batum is averaging 9.5 points per game this season for Portland, while McCollum is averaging 6.9 points per contest.
The Blazers finish the regular season Wednesday on the road against the Mavericks. If Batum and McCollum are out of the lineup, Portland will likely rely on small forwards Allen Crabbe and Alonzo Gee along with guard Tim Frazier to play heavier minutes in the regular season finale.