Blazers' Aldridge sidelined with right thumb sprain
The Portland Trail Blazers will be without All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge for Sunday's contest against the Memphis Grizzlies due to a right thumb sprain.
Luckily for the Trail Blazers, it's not the same thumb that Aldridge tore a ligament in and elected to play through instead of undergoing surgery. It's also not believed to be serious, as head coach Terry Stotts said he's hopeful Aldridge will be able top play Wednesday.
In a matchup between two of the Western Conference's top teams, Portland will have to find a way to get by in lieu of its leading scorer and rebounder. Aldridge is averaging a career-high 23.4 points while hauling in 10.3 rebounds per game.
The announcement that Aldridge would sit came shortly before the start of the game and after he was shooting in warmups in preparation of the contest. It's unknown how the power forward suffered the injury.
Both teams are battling for positioning in the loaded West and entered the day as top four seeds, spots they've both been in hold of for the majority of the season. Portland has all but locked up the Northwest Division, barring an unforeseen collapse, but could still move up in the West standings.
Memphis beat the Trail Blazers 102-98 when the two teams met for the first time this season back in January. Sunday's contest marks the first of three more meetings remaining between the two juggernauts.
Portland has gone 3-3 without Aldridge.