FanShot

Quick: Blazers G Brandon Roy To Return This Week

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Prior to tonight's game, Portland Trail Blazers guard Brandon Roy was shooting jumpers and moving freely. Jason Quick of The Oregonian reports that Roy is "set to return to games this week, maybe v. Toronto and likely vs. Detroit... Roy was cleared for full contact drills on Friday and says he wants a couple practices before playing...Roy says when he makes return he wants to come off the bench." ------------ Update 7:30 PM: Quick's full post -- with quotes -- is up here. ------------ Roy underwent arthroscopic surgery on both of his knees on Jan. 17. A return against the Raptors would come on Feb. 11, 25 days after his surgery date. A short recovery timeline from arthroscopic surgery is not unexpected, however there had been some discussion about whether the Blazers would exercise additional caution given Roy's prior history of knee problems. The team never publicly committed to a timeline, continually labeling Roy out "indefinitely." There are still questions about how effective Roy can be (and for how long), as the surgeries were said to be minor and unable to address the root cause of his knee pain and swelling. Nevertheless, Roy's return will provide a shot in the arm (and an extra body) to a team clinging to the fringes of the Western Conference playoff race and struggling to score the basketball. All eyes now turn to Blazers coach Nate McMillan: How and when will he re-introduce Roy to the rotation and/or starting lineup? -- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter