The Portland Trail Blazers have announced that an MRI conducted on forward Nicolas Batum's left knee Friday morning came back negative and that "he has a bone contusion and is listed as day to day." The Blazers next play against the San Antonio Spurs in the Rose Garden on Tuesday night.
Batum injured the knee during the second quarter of Thursday night's game against the Boston Celtics while defending a drive by Celtics forward Paul Pierce. Here's video of the play.
Batum is averaging 11.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists in his third NBA season. He missed much of last year with a shoulder injury that required surgery.
Word of a clean MRI first came out on Twitter via @sophiabiabia and Jason Quick of The Oregonian here.
-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter