2 min read • December 02, 2021
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Blazers star point guard Damian Lillard has been diagnosed with lower abdominal tendinopathy and will be re-evaluated in 10 days, the team announced on Wednesday.
The injury is a chronic one for the 31-year-old, who said after aggravating it on Nov. 3 that he has been dealing with it for a few seasons. The MRI confirmed the tendinopathy on Dec. 1.
While Lillard has been steadfast in fighting through the injury – and all injuries – we believe that core muscle surgery is a possibility, which could have him out at least 6 weeks, and easily much more.
Lower abdominal tendon issues are considered core muscle injuries, and while it is not designated as such, Lillard’s injury is what we used to call a sports hernia issue. The chronic nature of the injury and his recent aggravations add to the concern for a lengthy absence.
The 6-time All-Star reportedly played through the ailment during his run to the gold medal this summer at the Olympics. He later “irritated” the injury on Nov. 3, before missing the Nov. 14 contest against the Nuggets.
An injury would further explain his poor play this season: Lillard is averaging 21.5 points per game, his lowest mark since 2014-15, and is shooting what would be career-worst percentages from the field and from 3, at 39.7% and 30.1%, respectively, for the 11-11 Blazers.
Portland is embarking on an important stretch early in the season, as from today until the end of the calendar year, the Blazers are set to face the Clippers, Warriors, Suns, Hornets, and Nets, and the Grizzlies twice, among others.
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