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Jusuf Nurkic and CJ McCollum appear to be close to returning to the court for the Portland Trail Blazers, joining the latest team practice sessions in Minneapolis. But while McCollum took part in one-on-one work earlier today, Nurkic was restricted due to a calf complaint, according to Coach Terry Stotts.
Coach Terry Stotts says Jusuf Nurkic was limited in practice Friday because he is dealing with a calf injury. Meanwhile, CJ McCollum was able to do some 1-on-1 work on the court today in Minnesota. Both are ruled out for Saturday's game against the Timberwolves.
— Jason Quick (@jwquick) March 13, 2021
This isn’t the first time Nurkic has dealt with calf injuries during a convalescence, suffering a similar issue in January last year while returning from his gruesome broken leg.
Nurkic has been sidelined for almost two months after breaking his right wrist against the Indiana Pacers on January 14. McCollum fractured his left foot in the team’s following bout against the Atlanta Hawks on January 16.
No timetables have been given for their respective returns.
Before his injury McCollum was putting up career-best numbers with 26.7 points, 5 assists and 3.9 rebounds. Nurkic’s slow start to the season was illustrated by averages of 9.8 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists.
The Blazers will kick off a back-to-back against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Minneapolis tomorrow night.