Injuries Take Toll on Blazers’ Playoff Expectations

The Trail Blazers appeared to have suffered their latest injury setback following Skal Labissiere’s exit against the Lakers. The result of Skal Labissiere’s MRI are still pending, but his absence was on the mind of Portland’s players following Saturday’s result.

The Oregonian’s Jamie Goldberg captured CJ McCollum’s comments regarding the series of injuries that the Blazers have endured.

“It’s definitely tough, something we haven’t seen in a long time, this many injuries,” Blazers guard CJ McCollum said. “But it’s part of the game. I wish him nothing but the best going forward. I’m not sure what the severity of it is, but our prayers up for him, and next man up. We’re losing another big and it’s tough, but it’s a part of the game.”

McCollum continued to explain that the Blazers will continue to fight through setbacks, but he did admit that a spot at the top of the Western Conference might be out of reach.

“I don’t think we can make the one seed now, I don’t think we can get to the two seed, so stay around six, seven, eight and get ready for the playoffs,” McCollum said.

Despite a three-game losing streak, the Blazers are still clinging to the eighth seed in the Western Conference. Portland returns to action on Monday to host Phoenix.

You can read Goldberg’s full story at Oregon Live.