UPDATE: Blazers say Aldridge has a tear in his left thumb, and will require surgery. He’s expected to miss 6-8 weeks.
LaMarcus Aldridge left Monday’s game with a hand injury, and missed the loss to the Suns in Phoenix due to needing to see a specialist.
He’s now had two separate MRIs on the injury, which appears to have been to his thumb, but we have yet to receive clarification on just how severe it is.
Most recently, Aldridge was seen wearing a cast, and it’s unclear what his timetable for return might be.
From Jason Quick of The Oregonian:Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge has a cast on his left hand, but the team is still awaiting a diagnosis while tests are being done today general manager Neil Olshey said in an interview on Sirius XM.
Aldridge hurt his left thumb Monday while swiping down at the ball in the hands of Sacramento forward DeMarcus Cousins. Aldridge’s thumb hit Cousins above the knee and the Blazers forward left the game and did not return.
X-Rays that night were negative, and an MRI was inconclusive because of swelling in the area between his forefinger and thumb. Another MRI was scheduled for today.
We don’t yet know the severity of the injury, or just how long it may keep Aldridge sidelined. But it would affect the All-Star reserves if it’s something that will linger for the next month or beyond.
If Kobe Bryant can’t go, for example, that might open the door for Klay Thompson to get a well-deserved spot. In the case of Aldridge, we’d be talking about someone like Dirk Nowitzki or Tim Duncan getting a legacy selection in his place, assuming DeMarcus Cousins gets voted in by the coaches for entirely different reasons.
It’s too early to tell where Aldridge is concerned, though, but what we do know is this: In the crowded Western Conference standings, Portland can’t afford to be without him for an extended period of time if it hopes to retain a high seed in the postseason conversation.
