Portland Trail Blazers big man LaMarcus Aldridge will not travel with the team during its brief road trip to Golden State and Utah as he recovers from an ankle injury, Chris B. Haynes of CSN Northwest reports.
LaMarcus Aldridge injury: Trail Blazers star out Saturday vs. Warriors
LaMarcus Aldridge is staying back in Portland as his teammates face the Warriors in the Bay Area on Saturday.
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More: Blazer's Edge
L.A. suffered the injury in the first quarter of Wednesday's game against the Brooklyn Nets, initially going to the locker room before returning later in the half. He eventually left again in the fourth quarter and then missed Friday night's game against the Jazz.
With Aldridge still out of the lineup, rookie Meyers Leonard should continue to be the anchor in the middle for Portland. Playing an expanded role over the past five games, the first-round pick has averaged 8.8 points and 5.4 rebounds in 27.5 minutes per contest, shooting 54 percent from the field.
Portland is still on the periphery of the playoff race in the West, 3.5 games behind the Jazz and Lakers, but they've dropped three straight and have struggled to defend the post without Aldridge.
After seeing Reggie Evans torch the team for 22 points and 26 rebounds Wednesday, the Blazers allowed a combined 60 points on 70 percent shooting, plus 28 rebounds, from Utah's big man trio of Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap and Derrick Favors two days later.
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