Blazers F Nicolas Batum "Good To Go" After "Left Eye Injury"

by Ben Golliver on Jan 19, 2012 4:38 PM PST in Health Status

Update (Thursday): Joe Freeman of The Oregonian reports from Thursday's practice that Batum is "good to go" for Friday night's game against the Toronto Raptors.

Original Post (Wednesday): Portland Trail Blazers forward Nicolas Batum was poked in the eye by Atlanta Hawks forward Tracy McGrady during the second quarter of a Wednesday night game at Philips Arena.

Batum was attempting a pass through a double-team when McGrady's right hand came down across Batum's face. Batum remained in the game for the next defensive possession but then requested a substitution at the next dead ball and departed for the locker room.

The Blazers sent out a text message at halftime informing the media that Batum "will not return" to the game due to a "left eye injury."

The ESPN broadcast reported, and the Blazers later confirmed, that Batum was "taken to a local hospital for X-rays as a precaution."

Click through for further updates and video.

-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter

Update: After the game, the Blazers noted on Twitter that Batum had returned from the hospital, where X-rays were negative for an orbital fracture. "Says he's seeing double, feels pressure on his eye, but said it isn't serious." The team also noted that Batum would be re-evaluated in three days and that he will be listed as day-to-day. Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com reported that Batum said he will play in Portland's next game, a road contest against the Toronto Raptors on Friday.

Batum tweeted: "My eye is fine, X-ray is negative. I should be ok for the Raptors."

The Blazers conclude a 6-game road trip with the Raptors game and one against the Detroit Pistons on Saturday before returning home for a Monday night game against the Sacramento Kings.

Batum, 23, is averaging 12.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game this season.

Here's a video replay of the injury.

-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter

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Comments

Why can't we win in the...

Rockies & east of the Mississippi? At least Batum’s eye didn’t pop out of his socket like the dude in the NCAA tournament a few years back.

by gr8odensravens on Jan 18, 2012 6:23 PM PST reply actions

ewww

for real though?, like the eye was just hanging out…

The tensions are so high because the stakes are so low!

by tylercomp on Jan 19, 2012 7:32 PM PST up reply actions

I always knew he was a deadeye shooter.

I don't always root for an NBA franchise, but when I do, I prefer the Portland Trail Blazers.

by Oh. Em. Gee. on Jan 18, 2012 6:52 PM PST reply actions 1 recs

I'm stealing John Stockton's shorts

just so I can give you a proper dolphin clap.

by Hipster Olympic Team! on Jan 18, 2012 7:03 PM PST up reply actions

Well thats one day to knock down his

contract price .

Trade For Andre Iguodala

by 420Phenom on Jan 18, 2012 7:29 PM PST reply actions

Kinda ruins your Iggy trade.

One-Eyed Nic ain’t the sort of young talent that will tip the scales.

Doers & Makers > Movers & Shakers

by Adam Randall on Jan 18, 2012 7:51 PM PST up reply actions

he'll never see it coming

Waive Crawford!

by hoodieNation on Jan 18, 2012 8:15 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs

Also from Freeman

Camby will return to the starting lineup tomorrow

by Corvid on Jan 19, 2012 4:47 PM PST reply actions 2 recs

glad to hear Batum is ok and Camby is coming back

interesting to see where Batums minutes go after this

by Peteyhasnohead on Jan 19, 2012 4:57 PM PST reply actions

Nico shoots 47% from 3pt on a team full of guys that can't shoot

and they poke out his eye. Funny thing is, depth perception or not, he’ll probably still shoot better than most of the team.

by poorwebguy on Jan 19, 2012 5:03 PM PST reply actions 1 recs

I am getting more and more

on the Batum starting at the 2 bandwagon.

by AR-15 on Jan 19, 2012 5:50 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

Seriously

at least on road games

The tensions are so high because the stakes are so low!

by tylercomp on Jan 19, 2012 7:33 PM PST up reply actions

They should just flip a coin

before each game. That way there’s no hard feelings.

Johnson, Johnson, Smith, Smith, Thomas, Williams, and Babbitt: the Blazer's law firm.

by Doctor Worm on Jan 19, 2012 8:33 PM PST up reply actions

YES !!!!!!!

Then run Nic and LA pick and roll

by Nadwolf on Jan 19, 2012 8:54 PM PST up reply actions

I got a finger in the eye playing basketball once.

It started to bleed from behind the eyeball. One of the scarier moments in life.

by Sabonis4Ever on Jan 19, 2012 5:06 PM PST reply actions

my worst basketball injury

was taking an elbow to the face while drawing a charge. In the Peaceful and Recreational basketball league, no less. I ended up with a broken nose, a chipped tooth, and a broken orbital bone. I had to have surgery to fix my nose and put the piece of my skull back where it belonged. Not fun at all.

by superfly05 on Jan 19, 2012 6:13 PM PST reply actions