Portland Trail Blazers forward Justise Winslow suffered a Grade 2 sprained ankle in Wednesday’s 101-98 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the team announced Monday. The eight-year veteran will be reevaluated in two weeks.
Through 29 games this season, Winslow is averaging 6.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.0 steals per game. He also shot 40.9% from the field and 31.1% from beyond the arc.
Based on a few NBA betting sites, the Trail Blazers have the 17th-best odds to win the championship in 2023. Some sportsbooks show better odds for the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks.
The Blazers announced that Justise Winslow had a Grade 2 sprained ankle following further testing.
Winslow will be reevaluated in two weeks.
— Jamie Hudson (@JamieHudson_) December 27, 2022
In the year On November 30, in the Trail Blazers’ 128-109 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, the forward scored a season-high 21 points in 37 minutes. He shot 9-of-11 (81.8%) from the floor and missed all three of his 3-point attempts.
Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said before Monday night’s game against the Charlotte Hornets that “anytime it hurts to lose him, but it could have been a lot worse. We’re all a little relieved when we see the injury. … We’re definitely going to miss him.”
Trail Blazers forward Justise Winslow was diagnosed with a Grade 2 sprained ankle, and will be reevaluated in two weeks.
Moreover, Winslow is not the only Blazer listed on the injury report. Gary Payton II (conditioning) and Nasir Little (hip) were questionable before Portland took on the Hornets at the Moda Center.
Peyton is working to overcome an abdominal injury, and Minor is expected to miss a few more weeks with a minor femoral head fracture in his right hip.
Additionally, the Trail Blazers honored Damian Lillard as the franchise’s all-time leading scorer on Monday night. Jeremy Grant scored a team-high 32 points in 37 minutes in Portland’s 124-113 win over the Hornets. Lillard finished with 17 points in 38 minutes of action.
A touching address from the Trail Blazers’ all-time leading scorer. @Dame_Lillard ❤️#Rip City pic.twitter.com/fxavhIGMmW
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) December 27, 2022
“I don’t know how to describe it. It makes me feel a little old,” the Trail Blazers guard said of the celebration. “My teammates are just appreciative. Even though many of them are much younger than me and probably grew up watching me in the NBA when they were in high school, I don’t consider them big brothers.
But tonight, to hear them say congratulations, it was surprising in their tone and respect. I knew it was there but tonight I felt it even more.
Lillard’s biggest goal is to win an NBA championship. For the Trail Blazers to have any chance of making the playoffs this season, the six-time All-Star must stay healthy. If Justise Winslow can play at a high level when he returns, that would be icing on the cake.
