Blazers G Ronnie Price (Ankle) Aims To Return For Regular Season Opener Vs. Lakers

Portland Trail Blazers reserve point guard Ronnie Price suffered an ankle injury during a preseason game against the Phoenix Suns last week. Price sat out Portland's last three preseason games.

Price did not play during Sunday's Fan Fest intra-squad scrimmage but told Blazersedge afterwards that his rehabilitation is progressing and he's aiming to return for Portland's regular season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Rose Garden on Oct. 31.

"I'm a lot better," Price said. "I'll probably try to get some movement going in this coming week. I'm excited about that because I haven't been able to do anything. Besides getting it treated, had some acupuncture today. We're trying everything. I have all the treatments at home, getting treatments here and at home. It's a process I've been working hard at."

Price doesn't plan to play in Portland's two remaining preseason games -- a home-and-home set with the Utah Jazz on Monday and Thursday. His focus, instead, is on Halloween.

"That's the goal," he said. "Got 10 days to get there. It doesn't seem like it's out of reach by any means. But there's a bunch of tests I have to pass before I can play. That's why I'm looking forward to the movement. The quicker I can get moving, the quicker I get back out on the court."

Price, 29, was signed as a free agent this summer. He averaged 3.6 points, 1.9 assists and 1.6 rebounds in 14.4 minutes per game for the Suns last season.

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