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Portland Trail Blazers ‘considering shutting down’ star man Damian Lillard for the remainder of the season due to troublesome calf injury… with a postseason spot slipping away
The Portland Trail Blazers care considering shutting down superstar point guard Damian Lillard for the remainder of the season due to a calf injury he is dealing with, according to reports.
Lillard missed seven games earlier this season after suffering a calf injury and also missed time in October dealing with a calf injury.
‘The franchise is seriously considering taking precautions as Lillard deals with calf injury and the team is 3.5 games out of Play-In Tournament race,’ reported Shams Charania of the Athletic.
Portland is three and a half games out of 10th place for the final spot in the NBA Play-In Tournament as they currently sit 13th in the Western Conference with a record of 32-41.
The Portland Trail Blazers are considering shutting down superstar point guard Damian Lillard
Lillard recently sat out of action due to a calf injury he has dealing with for several months
The 32-year-old Lillard has put together a fantastic season this year as he has averaged 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.3 assists in 58 games.
He has also shot 46.3 percent from the floor and 37.1 percent from beyond the arc.
With Portland on the outskirts of playoff contention as the season reaches its final stretch, it seems like a logical idea to allow Lillard begin his offseason early and have an extra few weeks to allow his body to heal.
Rookie guard Shaedon Sharpe, who was selected with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft has looked solid when filling in for Lillard and would only be helped by the additional game time.
Sharpe has averaged 8.3 points and 2.6 rebounds while shooting 47.6 percent from the field and 36.1 percent from deep through 72 games.
The majority of his 20.8 minutes per game average have come in bench action behind Lillard this season.
Portland’s next game is on Sunday against the Oklahoma City Thunder and Lillard is currently listed as day-to-day.
Shutting down Lillard would allow rookie Shaedon Sharpe a chance at a increase in minutes
