Portland Trail Blazers superstar Damian Lillard is set to be re-evaluated at the end of the week and could return to action Sunday, Yahoo Sports reported Wednesday.
Lillard, 31, will miss his fifth straight game and sixth overall on Wednesday night with abdominal tendinopathy. Lillard received a cortisone injection for the heightened pain last week, per the report. The team announced Dec. 1 that Lillard would be sidelined at least 10 days with the condition.
Lillard’s projected return comes amid a report that the six-time All-Star wants out of Portland. ESPN reported Tuesday that Lillard is seeking a two-year, $107 extension this summer, a demand that would likely force the team to trade him.
Lillard took to social media Tuesday to refute it and did so again Wednesday at the team’s morning shootaround.
“I am not asking for a trade. … I do not know how many times I have to say it,” Lillard said. “I am working with these people every day to try and find solutions, so why would I be a part of trying to find solutions if I am planning an exit?”
Complicating matters is that Portland is working with an interim general manager after firing president of basketball operations and general manager Neil Olshey on Friday following an investigation into workplace misconduct.
Lillard signed a four-year, $176 million extension in July 2019.
Lillard is averaging 21.5 points, 7.8 assists and 4.0 rebounds in 20 games this season.
The six-time All-NBA guard averages 24.6 points and 6.7 assists per game for his career, all with Portland. He was taken No. 6 overall in the 2012 draft.
–Field Level Media
