Trail Blazers' Evan Turner: Will have cast removed Friday

Turner (hand) is set to have his cast removed Friday and hopes to resume playing "in a week or so," Mike Richman of The Oregonian reports.

Analysis:

Turner was handed a five-to-six-week recovery timetable after suffering a fractured third metacarpal on his right hand in early February and has recovered about as quickly as the Trail Blazers could have expected. Once Turner is out of the cast, the Trail Blazers will likely have a better idea on a potential target date for the swingman, but his impending return would result in fewer minutes for Maurice Harkless and Allen Crabbe. Harkless has performed well while starting the past five games in place of Turner, producing 11.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.8 steals, 1.6 blocks, 1.4 three-pointers and 1.2 assists in 30.8 minute per contest while shooting 54.8 percent from the field.