Blazers' Afflalo suffers shoulder injury in loss to Warriors

The potentially crushing blow of Portland losing Wesley Matthews for the season was softened by the fact that the Trail Blazers acquired veteran shooting guard Arron Afflalo at the trade deadline.

Now Afflalo may too be lost.

Afflalo left Thursday's loss to the Golden State Warriors in the fourth quarter with what appeared to be a right shoulder injury, saying that he felt a tear in the back of the shoulder.

He never returned to the game and the Blazers confirmed a right arm injury following the game, saying that Afflalo will undergo further evaluation on Friday.

Afflalo also said postgame that he couldn't lift his arm over his shoulder, which is troubling news for a Blazers team that seems destined to open the postseason on the road as the Western Conference's No. 4 seed in name only (division winners are guaranteed a top-4 seed, but not home-court advantage).

Afflalo was averaging 10.6 points and shooting 40 percent from 3-point range in 25 games with Portland

If Afflalo is forced to miss time, the Blazers will have to rely heavily on reserve guards C.J. McCollum and Steve Blake, as well as sophomore swingman Allen Crabbe. Forward Dorell Wright, who could slide over to shooting guard in a pinch, is out with a broken hand until next month.

The Blazers are back in action against the Utah Jazz on Saturday.