PHOTO: Wesley Matthews wears Iron Man helmet at Blazers-Grizzlies Game 3
The Portland Trail Blazers could really use injured wing Wesley Matthews against the Memphis Grizzlies, and they're hoping his presence at Moda Center - in costume, no less - will help swing the tides of a series they find themselves down 2-0 in.
The well-liked Matthews saw his season end in early March thanks to a ruptured left Achilles tendon, costing the Blazers an important two-way cog in their system and, to hear his teammates tell it, the heart and soul of the team.
Known as Iron Man because he had missed so little time prior to this injury - 13 games in six seasons - Matthews tried to spark his teammates and his home crowd for Game 3 on Saturday, showing up in the helmet of his namesake.
Ironman pic.twitter.com/AlzEO6QWDH
— Bruce Ely (@bruceely) April 26, 2015
so when Wes Matthews does this its fine but when I wear a Quailman costume to the office everyone says i'm weird pic.twitter.com/ZVNT2PWN3t
— Dane Carbaugh (@danecarbaugh) April 26, 2015
Wes Matthews gets a standing ovation and screeching cheers when he emerged from locker room in IronMan mask and is shown on jumbo screen
— Michael Wallace (@WallaceNBA_ESPN) April 26, 2015
While Matthews won't make an on-court impact until next season - if he returns to Portland in free agency - maybe he'll be the boost the Blazers need to find their footing against the Grizzlies and extend their 2014-15 season a little longer.