Blazers' Aldridge sustains wrist injury, Batum aggravates back
Injuries continue to afflict the Portland Trail Blazers.
Already without sharpshooter Wesley Matthews, who is out for the season with an Achilles injury, another two Blazers starters went down with injuries on Saturday.
Swingman Nic Batum (lower back pain) and power forward LaMarcus Aldridge (left wrist) left the game at halftime and did not return.
The more worrisome of the two is Aldridge, who had been playing for months with a left thumb injury. Aldridge eschewed surgery in an effort to help the Blazers keep pace in the hotly-contested Western Conference. His injury can be seen below.
After the game, it was discovered that the injury was not to Aldridge's thumb, but rather to his wrist. X-rays were negative but it looks like the four-time All-Star will miss some time.
LaMarcus said his left hand, near his wrist, is swollen and hurts more than his thumb. Said he can't move it now, and won't rush back.
— Michael Wallace (@WallaceNBA_ESPN) March 22, 2015
That's not to understate Batum's importance. Although he has struggled with his shot this season, Batum is the Blazers' best perimeter defender and a creative playmaker on the wing. Coupled with Matthews's injury, the Blazers' wing depth will be put to the test.
Aldridge is averaging 23.6 points and 10.5 rebounds, while Batum is chipping in with 9.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game.