Injured Trail Blazers Making Progress

The Portland Trail Blazers got some good injury news before the All-Star break concerning two of their most important players. CJ McCollum has been cleared for contact practice and will be able to use the All-Star break to aid in his recovery as the Trail Blazers don't play again until Thursday March 11th. 

.@CJMcCollum has been cleared for contact practice. 🙌https://t.co/O8CsB3Fzwl

— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) March 4, 2021

In the midst of a career-year, McCollum came up with a small hairline fracture in his foot in mid-January. In the 22 games that McCollum has missed, the Blazers have gone 13-9, more than holding their own without their 2nd leading scorer. In those games, Damian Lillard has been on fire, averaging 31.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 8.7 apg, 1.0 spg while shooting 39.0% 3P. 

Jusuf Nurkic has been sidelined since breaking his right wrist on January 14th, and has also made progress in his rehab. Nurkic was playing his way back into shape after missing nearly a full season due to his significant leg injury at the end of the 2018-19 season (if you're into that sort of thing - here you go).

Trail Blazers say Jusuf Nurkic "continues to progress" in his recovery from surgery on his right wrist and that he will "continue to increase his on-court activity." He will be evaluated later next week.

— Jason Quick (@jwquick) March 4, 2021

Hopefully the Blazers will have both players back for the remainder of the regular season and playoffs, as a fully healthy Portland Trail Blazers would be a tough out for anyone. 

Enes Kanter can't wait to have CJ McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic back 👀 pic.twitter.com/3Oru7Zq2Ge

— Blazers Nation (@BlazersNationCP) March 5, 2021

In related news, McCollum was re-elected today as VP of the NBPA, commencing his 3-year term immediately. 

NBPA VP: CJ McCollum

Voted by the players, @CJMcCollum was re-elected as NBPA Vice President at today’s Board of NBPA Player Representatives meeting and will begin his 3-year term on the NBPA Executive Committee immediately. pic.twitter.com/HJo5uoCOJA

— NBPA (@TheNBPA) March 5, 2021

Photo Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports