Blazers F LaMarcus Aldridge (Back) Will Play Thursday Vs. Hawks

Portland Trail Blazers All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge will return from a back contusion on Thursday against the Atlanta Hawks.

Update (Thursday): Aldridge told reporters that he is officially a go.

Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com reports...

"I'm going," Aldridge said after shootaround Thursday. "We'll see how it goes, but I'm going."

...

"It's (running) still not normal but hopefully by tonight, I'll be used to it or I'll be fine," he said. "We'll see what happens tonight or how I'll look."

Update (Wednesday): The Blazers announced Wednesday that Aldridge will be officially listed as "questionable" against Atlanta on Thursday. He will be a game-time decision.

Aldridge has not played since he took a hard fall during a March 12 road loss to the San Antonio Spurs. He took questions from reporters following a Tuesday night loss to the Orlando Magic.

Here's a round-up.

Casey Holdahl of Blazers.com reports on Twitter...

LaMarcus Aldridge says he's going to go [through] a workout tomorrow with hopes of getting cleared to play. Says he still has discomfort running.

LaMarcus Aldridge (back) says it's been extremely difficult to watch his team struggle. Says he wanted to go tonight but couldn't fully run.

Holdahl's full transcript of Aldridge's comments can be found right here.

"I've had more time this time to workout. Last time I went from nothing to full speed to playing. This time it's been more of a transition period of, let's see you run, let's see you shoot. I've worked out the last three to four days. It's been more stationary shooting and minimal movement, but I've had more time to really find my rhythm. Last time I went from sitting on my couch and could move to playing. This time it's been more of a transition period, so I think I'll be fine."

Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com reports on Twitter...

Blazers F LaMarcus Aldridge (back contusion) says if his workout goes well tomorrow, he plans to play Thursday against Atlanta.

Haynes's full piece is here.

"[Losing] makes me want to play even worse, yes it does," Aldridge answered in frustration. "But it's not about me, it's about the medical staff and them saying I can play. I've been wanting to play but obviously if you can't move, you can't play."

Jason Quick of The Oregonian reports on Twitter...

LaMarcus Aldridge said tonight that he plans to return Thursday at Atlanta. Will have a "contact" workout tomorrow and go from there

Quick's full piece is here.

"My shot feels great. It's not really my game I'm worried about, it's just being able to move,'' Aldridge said. "My lateral quickness seems fine, it's just running, because I hit that spot and when you flex back your (gluteus muscle), it touches that spot that I really knocked on the floor.''

During Aldridge's absence, the Blazers are 3-4, including a 95-85 road loss to the Orlando Magic on Tuesday.

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