The Portland Trail Blazers will be looking a little more complete in their first playoff game against the Memphis Grizzlies.Ā Ā
Nicolas Batum, who bruised his knee in Monday night's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder,Ā told the media in Friday's practice that he will be playing in Game 1 on Sunday.Ā
Batum left the game afterĀ injuringĀ his right kneeĀ -Ā the same knee he had injured earlier in the season -Ā andĀ an MRI confirmsĀ that he has a contusion.Ā Batum was held out of the team's regular-season finale, but went through a full three-hour workout on Friday in preparation for the playoffs.Ā
Batum averaged 9.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists in the regular season.Ā
C.J. McCollum may also be gearing up to make an appearance in Game 1. McCollum suffered an ankle injury in Monday's gameĀ and missed the last game of the regular season as well.Ā
However, he wasĀ seen by the mediaĀ going through an extensive workout with assistant coach David Vanterpool andĀ DamianĀ Lillard, which may be an indication that he could see some action in Sunday's matchup.Ā Ā Ā
McCollum finished the regular season averagingĀ 6.8 points, 1.5 reboundsĀ and one assist per game.












