Damian Lillard Close To Return After Six Missed Games

After missing the last six games, All-Star point guard Damian Lillard appears to have made strides toward returning, according to The Oregonian's Joe Freeman. His status is still questionable for Sunday's game against the Nuggets in Denver and his availability will be decided after a morning shootaround.

Trail Blazers' Damian Lillard plays in full practice, appears close to returning | https://t.co/J7ZKPeGzUp

— Joe Freeman (@BlazerFreeman) January 2, 2016

Lillard has been nursing a left plantar fascia injury. According to Lillard, the foot is now pain free with some lingering stiffness.

Per Freeman's report:

Lillard said he is no longer dealing with pain in his tender foot -€” only a little "stiffness" -€” and he's made enough progress in recent days that he appears to be on the cusp of returning after missing the last six games.

...

He said he would prefer not to be on a minutes-restriction whenever he returns and coach Terry Stotts said that will be decided by Lillard and the Blazers' medical staff. Could Lillard have played Thursday, when the Blazers lost to Utah? Probably. But he wants to make sure when he returns, he returns for good.

"Once I'm back, I'm back," he said.

Read Freeman's full update here.

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