Blazers lose Nicolas Batum (again) to knee injury

Anyone who knows what's good for them will stay far, far away from the Portland Trail Blazers, who are quite obviously cursed.

After a tremendous first half that saw them playing like a legitimate championship contender, the Blazers have fallen victim to a rash of injuries that have threatened to derail their season.

Nicolas Batum, who's been the victim of a handful of those injuries already, appeared to suffer another one Monday against the Oklahoma City Thunder, when he landed awkwardly after fighting for a rebound with teammate Joel Freeland.

Batum's right knee buckled on the play, and he limped straight to the locker room. X-rays, fortunately, came back negative, but he did not return. 

Batum dealt with a contusion on the same knee early in the season, and received a platelet-rich plasma injection.

It's been a down year for Batum, owing in no small part to his injuries, but he's still been one of the Blazers' most consistent playmakers and defenders. 

With Wesley Matthews done for the year, Arron Afflalo nursing a shoulder injury and the postseason just days away, the Blazers are running out of capable wings at the worst possible time.