Nicolas Batum Injury Update: Right Knee Contusion, Likely For Playoffs

Portland Trail Blazers small forward Nicolas Batum suffered a knee injury during the Blazers' 101-90 loss to Oklahoma City last night. After the game, the team reported that X-Rays were negative, and Batum would receive an MRI today. The latest update has just come in:

MRI confirms @nicolas88batum has a right knee contusion. He is out for Wednesday's game at Dallas. More " http://t.co/pi2uwgYaJs

— Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) April 14, 2015

Batum has averaged 9.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in 33.5 minutes per game this season for the Trail Blazers. Despite injuries early in the season, Batum became a stabilizing presence down the stretch run after the All-Star Break. Paul Allen says that Batum is expected to return for the playoffs:

@trailblazers @nicolas88batum MRI shows only inside knee bruise, he is day to day but likely ok for playoffs...Good news #RipCity

— Paul Allen (@PaulGAllen) April 14, 2015

The video of his injury from Mondays game can be seen here.

The Blazers have also announced that CJ McCollum will miss the regular season finale due to his recent ankle sprain, and Chris Kaman (back) is questionable. LaMarcus Aldridge has been upgraded to probable.