The Portland Trail Blazers had their three-game winning streak snapped by the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday. Fortunately, it seems they managed to dodge an even bigger bullet regarding the health of shooting guard CJ McCollum.
McCollum was forced to leave the game after landing awkwardly on his left leg during a layup attempt in the third quarter. According to Jason Quick of The Athletic, the initial tests came back negative:
Terry Stotts says xRays were negative on CJ McCollum and he will fly back with team and receive more tests
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski added that McCollum will get an MRI on Sunday to further determine the severity of the injury.
Portland guard CJ McCollum will undergo an MRI on his left knee on Sunday, league sources tell ESPN.
Early reports indicate that CJ McCollum may have dodged a serious injury. It certainly appeared like a significant injury at first; he was unable to get up for several minutes. Regardless, it is clear that Portland is taking every precaution that it can at this time.
The injury could not have come at a worse time for the Trail Blazers. They currently own the fourth spot in the Western Conference going into the final stretch of the season. It is no secret that seeding will be a factor in the postseason. Portland will need every win it can get. The Blazers are trying to get home-court advantage in the first round. They are also trying to avoid the Golden State Warriors in the second round if they can get out of the first round. Reaching the No. 3 seed would enable them to reach that particular goal.
Of course, the team's main priority is getting CJ McCollum 100 percent for the playoffs. He has consistently played an integral role in the Trail Blazers' success. He is a member of one of the most dynamic backcourts in the league. Portland will likely take a cautious route with his recovery.
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