The Trail Blazers have lost four-straight and seven of their last eight. They’re hoping one player returning to the lineup and another taking on a new role might change that trajectory.
First, after sitting out the last five games due to abdominal tendinopathy, Damian Lillard will likely return to the starting lineup in Sunday night’s game versus the Timberwolves at Moda Center. The 6-3 point guard is averaging career lows in shooting from both the field and from three through his first 20 games this season, and while he’s played through the injury for the past few seasons -- it typically improves as the season goes on -- he received a cortisone injection in an effort to alleviate discomfort and lack of mobility.