Al-Farouq Aminu (Ankle) Out Against Lakers

The Portland Trail Blazers announced that Al-Farouq Aminu will miss tonight’s game between the Blazers and Los Angeles Lakers, after turning his ankle in last night’s game against the Utah Jazz.

Late Wednesday night, the Blazers announced that Aminu’s x-rays came back negative. He was placed in a walking boot for a trip to Portland, which is standard operating procedure for traveling after experiencing an injury. OregonLive’s Mike Richman was unsure of Aminu’s immediate future after gauging the locker room.

Wednesday night against the Utah Jazz, Al-Farouq Aminu had a rough night. While his play saw him continue to contribute on both ends of the floor with 8 points, 6 rebounds and a block, Aminu’s body took a beating took during the contest.

Just before halftime Aminu picked up what looked to be a minor injury to his right hand and/or wrist.

He came back out for the second half and proceeded to aggravate it further when he dribbled into traffic and a couple bodies. He walked away from the collision holding his hand/wrist again only to return to the game.

Aminu wasn’t done putting his body on the line, though. Late in the fourth quarter he appeared to roll his right ankle quite substantially, forcing him to leave the game for good.

If Aminu is forced to miss any significant time the Blazers will be forced to supplement the production of arguably their third best player of the season. As for the starting lineup, Noah Vonleh has just returned to the lineup following a shoulder injury in preseason. Considering his time in the starting lineup alongside Jusuf Nurkić last season, one would think that’s a direction Coach Terry Stotts might look.

After the game, the Blazers’ Casey Holdahl saw Aminu and was concerned about his status for Thursday night’s game against the Lakers.