Damian Lillard Going Under The Knife, Expected To Miss 6-8 Weeks

PORTLAND, OR — It's been a tough season for Damian Lillard. The Portland Trail Blazers guard started out and hasn't really seemed to find his groove.

Part of that has had to do with a lingering abdominal injury that forced him to sit for games at a time. after consulting with doctors and the team, Lillard has decided that the best course of action is surgery.

He could go under the knife as early as Thursday.

When he goes, he will miss at least 6-8 weeks and possibly longer. A worst-case scenario for the team has him missing the rest of the season.

The team has started getting used to the fact that he's not always going to be in the lineup.

Lillard last played New Year's Eve.

To make things worse, Lillard's partner in the backcourt, CJ McCollum, hasn't played since December 4 when he suffered a collapsed lung.

There's no timetable yet for his return.

The team starts a six-game trip Thursday night against the Nuggets in Denver.