After experiencing minor heart arrhythmia less than a week ago, San Antonio Spurs power forward LaMarcus Aldridge has been cleared to play basketball.
Just when the San Antonio Spurs were poised to overtake the Golden State Warriors for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference standings, they encountered their own bit misfortune to a star player. Spurs power forward LaMarcus Aldridge was dealing with a minor episode of heart arrhythmia against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 9.
Less than a week later, the Spurs have medically cleared Aldridge to resume all basketball related activities. He will be available to play in Wednesday night’s home game against his former team in the Portland Trail Blazers.
Spurs general manager R.C. Buford had this to say about Aldridge’s status, “We are thankful that LaMarcus will be able to rejoin the team. All of us have been impressed with the professionalism and grace he has shown in dealing with this difficult situation.”
This isn’t the first time Aldridge has dealt with heart issues in his NBA career. He had a procedure done during the lockout-shortened 2012-13 NBA season. It’s good to have Aldridge back on the court to help the Spurs capture the top seed down the home stretch.
Though not an All-Star this season, Aldridge has been the second best player on one of the better teams in the Western Conference all season long. In 58 games, Aldridge is averaging 17.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game for the Spurs.
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Expect San Antonio to monitor Aldridge’s heart for the rest of the season. If San Antonio wants to win a sixth NBA Championship during the Gregg Popovich era, it will need Aldridge to come up big for the team in the Western Conference Playoffs.