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Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic was a full participant at Wednesday’s practice, according to Damian Lillard. Lillard said Nurkic went through drills at full speed and with contact, a positive sign on the big man’s recovery journey after his leg injury last March. Caleb Swanigan noted that Nurkic looked like his old self and even dunked, per The Athletic’s Jason Quick:
Caleb Swanigan said “Nurk looked like Nurk” during practice, adding that Nurkić dunked at one point.
— Jason Quick (@jwquick) January 22, 2020
Terry Stotts said that Nurkic went through halfcourt 5-on-5, but also pointed out there’s no set date to expect his return just yet:
Terry Stotts says Nurkic went 5-on-5 in halfcourt and participated fully in practice.
— Jason Quick (@jwquick) January 22, 2020
"I guess it's a milestone, but its part of his progression.''
Said the team has been targeting this week for an increase in his workload, but still no definite date set for his return.
Additionally, Zach Collins went through an individual workout, as captured by Jamie Hudson of NBC Sports Northwest:
Zach Collins out here after practice getting his workout in pic.twitter.com/RNG4XhxAM8
— Jamie Hudson (@JamieHudsonNBCS) January 22, 2020
CJ McCollum, who’s missed two games with a sprained ankle, took part in a shooting workout, per Blazers digital reporter Casey Holdahl.