Trail Blazers may sit injured star Damian Lillard for rest of season amid dimming playoff hopes: report

With their season almost over, the Portland Trail Blazers could be making a decision for their future.

The organization is reportedly considering sitting superstar Damian Lillard for the rest of the season while he nurses a calf injury.

The Blazers are 3½ games out of a play-in tournament berth with nine games to go. They’d need a near miracle to get in.

Lillard missed Friday’s game against the Chicago Bulls.

The 32-year-old is having the best season of his career, averaging 32.2 points on 46.3% shooting, both career highs.

But Portland has not been able to take the next step. Lillard has provided some memorable playoff moments with a pair of buzzer beaters that advanced his squad to the next round, but the Blazers had won a total of four playoff series over Lillard’s 10 seasons heading into 2022-23, reaching the Western Conference finals in 2019.

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Lillard has remained loyal to the team that drafted him with the sixth overall pick in 2012 rather than looking to jump ship for a team built for consistent, deep playoff runs.

But he’s not getting any younger.

Lillard recently signed an extension that would keep him in Portland through the 2027 season