LaMarcus Aldridge will miss 6-8 weeks with thumb tear
The Portland Trail Blazers will be without power forward LaMarcus Aldridge for the next six-to-eight weeks due to a torn ligament in his left thumb, the team announced Thursday.
The injury will require surgery, according to the team.
Aldridge hurt his thumb in a contest against the Sacramento Kings on Monday night. He tried for a steal against Kings center DeMarcus Cousins and banged his hand on Cousins's knee.
The injury puts Portland in a major bind, as they're already short starting center Robin Lopez, who is recovering from a broken right hand. They're also missing center Joel Freeland, who is expected to miss a few weeks due to a strained right shoulder. That leaves them with just Meyers Leonard, Chris Kaman, Thomas Robinson and Dorell Wright in their frontcourt.
Fortunately for Portland, they boast the second-best record in the Western Conference at 31-12. However, they are just 3-2 without Aldridge this season and will be hard-pressed to replicate his line of 23.2 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.2 blocks.