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[2:40pm: Updated to reflect Lillard being listed as inactive]
The Portland Trail Blazers seem to be a bit closer to having their star point guard back in action, but will not have his services on Sunday.
Damian Lillard is inactive again tonight. He will miss his fourth straight game with a left ankle sprain.
— Mike Richman (@mikegrich) January 1, 2017
Damian Lillard was previously listed as doubtful for Sunday’s tilt at the Minnesota Timberwolves, but told Mike Richman of The Oregonian that his injured ankle is improving.
"Just trying to get past that next stage of finally getting (from) where it's really uncomfortable and I can barely walk and run," Lillard said.
Lillard was injured on December 23rd in the fourth quarter against the San Antonio Spurs. The Blazers are 1-2 in his absence.
According to Casey Holdahl, Lillard went full speed in practice on Saturday with few limitations.
“Some stuff, it didn't hurt but I wasn’t really comfortable with it. It wasn’t completely comfortable, so just going to keep working out and keep working that swelling out, that soreness out, trying to get back. I’m not going to rush it, at this point I might as well wait until completely ready to go."
After Sunday’s game in Minnesota, the Blazers have two days off before a Wednesday match-up with the Golden State Warriors in Oakland.
Lillard is averaging a career-high 27 points per game this season, good for seventh best in the NBA.