Blazers guard Damian Lillard misses practice; probable against Hawks

Mar 3, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard (0) drives to the basket on Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kent Bazemore (6) during the fourth quarter of the game at the Moda Center. The Lakers won the game 107-106. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /

The Portland Trail Blazers were red-hot as recently as Monday, but after a very much unexpected home loss at the hands of the Los Angeles Lakers, things haven’t gotten much better in Rip City.

RT @TrailBlazersPR Portland G Damian Lillard (gastritis) did not practice today. He is probable for Wednesday's game vs. Atlanta. #RipCity
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) March 4, 2014

Damian Lillard, who is considered to be the “1-a” to LaMarcus Aldridge’s “1-b” missed practice on Tuesday as a result of gastritis, and his status is not firm for Wednesday. The team is listing him as probable, which is always encouraging, but the fact that he could conceivably miss the game isn’t terribly positive news.

The second-year guard from Weber State played 35 minutes (shooting 8-for-19 and scoring 20 points) on Monday night, and if he is forced to miss the game, head coach Terry Stotts will be forced to deploy Mo Williams and/or CJ McCollum in his stead. Fortunately for Portland fans, the Atlanta Hawks are visiting on Wednesday night, and they have been, by all accounts, a disaster in recent weeks, losing 11 of their last 12 games amid massive injury troubles.

There is no need to panic at this point, but don’t be blown away if Lillard is forced to sit.

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