Damian Lillard Is Getting A Much-Needed Night Off Against The Torn-Down Magic
Jusuf Nurkic is playing for the first time in 10 weeks on Friday night, and there's a good chance Norman Powell debuts with his new team. But the long short-handed Trail Blazers won't be at full-strength against the Orlando Magic regardless.
Why? Damian Lillard, thankfully, is finally getting some much-needed time off.
Portland announced on Friday morning that Lillard won't play against the Magic on Friday due to a left knee contusion.
As noted by team reporter Casey Holdahl, the Blazers probably could have justified Lillard's absence by listing other lingering maladies. He hurt his shooting hand while dropping 50 points on the New Orleans Pelicans last week, and was left favoring his right leg during Thursday's game against the Miami Heat after landing awkwardly on a drive.
Lillard originally hurt his left knee during Sunday's win over the Dallas Mavericks. After getting on the floor for a loose ball near midcourt, Lillard's left knee was caught under the full weight of Josh Richardson, driving it into the hardwood.
It would obviously be beneficial for Nurkic and Powell if Lillard was able to play against the Magic. There will only be so much to glean from the former's return and the latter's debut without Portland's offensive engine and cultural tone-setter on the floor with them.
But that was always going to prove the case when facing a team like Orlando, absolutely ravaged for talent by initiating a full-scale teardown at the trade deadline. Nothing that transpires on Friday night will be a harbinger of what's to come for the Blazers; the Magic are the worst team they'll face over the season's remainder.
Lillard needs rest on the second night of a back-to-back, clearly, and odds are that his team can get a win while he watches from the bench anyway. Enticing as it is for a full-strength, rebuilt Portland to take the floor, the Blazers' cautious approach to Lillard's nagging injuries is definitely the most prudent one.