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The Portland Trailblazers have been crushed by injuries and are mired in a 4-game losing streak. On Sunday, they finally received some good news. According to senior Yahoo NBA writer, Chris Haynes, Blazers All-Star point guard Damian Lillard will make his return Sunday night.
Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard (abdomen) will make his return tonight against the Minnesota Timberwolves after missing the last five games, league sources tell @YahooSports.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) December 13, 2021
Lillard has missed the last five games due to an abdominal injury. While Lillard was out, the Blazers got equally awful news. Starting shooting guard and All-Star, C.J. McCollum, received terrible news. McCollum was diagnosed with pneumothrorax, which means he is dealing with a collapsed lung. There is no time table yet for his return.
With both players out recently, the Blazers have turned to Dennis Smith Jr. at point guard. He has performed decently filling in, but is obviously not close to the players Lillard and McCollum are. He also has turned the ball over 11 times in the last two games.
The Blazers dropping four straight and seven of their last eight games. With the recent funk, the Blazers have dropped to 11-15 and all the way to the #9 seed. They are tied with Sunday's opponents, the TWolves for the current final two spots for the play in tournament.
Amid the recent struggles, talks of Damian Lillard being traded had heated up. However, both Lillard and the Portland organization have shot those down emphatically.
Sunday's game is the beginning of a four-game home stand for the Blazers. They host the Western Conference leading Phoenix Suns Tuesday night. They will then finish the home stand with games against the Memphis Grizzlies and Charlotte Hornets.
