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LaMarcus Aldridge to miss 6-8 weeks with thumb injury

By Trisity Miller

Jan 8, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) gives forward Nicolas Batum (88) a high five after making a basket against the Miami Heat during the second quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 8, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) gives forward Nicolas Batum (88) a high five after making a basket against the Miami Heat during the second quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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A thumb injury has sidelined Portland Trail Blazers LaMarcus Aldridge for 6-8 weeks.

Here is some news Portland Trail Blazers fans hoped to avoid hearing: per the team’s official public relations Twitter account, All-Star PF LaMarcus Aldridge is expected to miss the next 6-8 weeks due to a thumb injury suffered against the Sacramento Kings:

This is bad news for the Portland Trail Blazers and this injury couldn’t have come at a worse time.

With Damian Lillard and Wesley Matthews in the fold, the Blazers will still be able to win games, but the task will be much harder without Aldridge due to a lack of depth in the frontcourt, especially if Nicolas Batum remains in his season-long slump (averaging 9.4 points on 39 percent shooting, 5.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists).

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To replace some of LaMarcus’ production, head coach Terry Stotts will look to first-round picks in Thomas Robinson and Meyers Leonard to help fill the void. While both Robinson and Leonard have made strides since their rookies seasons, it’s unseen yet if they can contribute to the team when relied on in heavy minutes — Robinson is averaging 3.6 points and 4.0 rebounds; Leonard is averaging 5.5 points and 4.5 rebounds. If Leonard and Robinson are unable to help, we could see the Blazers look to the trade market for a better replacement (Wilson Chandler comes to mind for some).

To add insult to injury (literally), the Trail Blazers won’t be getting backup forward/center Joel Freeland back anytime soon as he’s expected to be out a couple more weeks after being sidelined on January 3rd due to right shoulder strain.

Some good news for the team is starting center Robin Lopez is expected to return from injury in early February, a presence that’ll help shore up the defensive side of the floor.

As of now, the Blazers are second in the Western Conference with a record of 31-12, good for second best in the NBA behind the Golden State Warriors and Atlanta Hawks. Unfortunately, their lead over the rest of the West may not hold in Aldridge’s absence, which could include nearly 20 missed games if he fails to return prior to the 6-8 week timeframe.

In a best-case scenario, the Blazers dip to the bottom half to the Western, losing their home-court advantage to a team like the Mavericks or Grizzlies. In the worst-case scenario, they lose their 8.5-game lead to the Oklahoma City Thunder, falling out of the playoffs in the process. With a heavy schedule ahead (next 5 games: vs BOS, vs WAS, @ BK, @ CLE, @ ATL), this is a possibility.

This season, Aldridge is averaging a career-high 23.2 points on 46 percent shooting, 10.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.2 blocks in 38 starts.

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