Blazers' Ayton out at least 4 weeks with calf strain

Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton will be sidelined at least four weeks with a left calf strain, the team announced Wednesday.

Ayton exited Monday's 146-117 loss to the Denver Nuggets early with a calf injury and an MRI on Tuesday confirmed the strain. He'll be re-evaluated in four weeks.

The 26-year-old has been struggling in his second season with the Blazers. He's averaging 14.4 points, tying the lowest mark of his career, and shooting 56.6% from the field as a 7-footer.

Ayton does lead the Blazers with 10.2 rebounds per game, and he started all 40 of the games he's appeared in.

With Ayton out, big man Robert Williams III and rookie Donovan Clingan should take on more significant roles in Portland's frontcourt.

The Blazers are 10-3 in their last 13 games and sit 13th in the West with a 23-31 record. Their next game is another matchup against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday.