(Reuters) – Portland Trail Blazers All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge will miss at least a week with a left groin strain, the team announced on Tuesday.
Aldridge sat out during the fourth quarter of a February 8 game against Minnesota because of the injury but has been playing through it and was featured sparingly in Sunday’s All-Star Game.
The Blazers said he would be re-evaluated in a week and could miss more time.
Aldridge and the Blazers are enjoying a breakout season, with the 6ft-11in player averaging a career best 23.9 points and 11.4 rebounds per game.
Portland (36-17) has surprised many by their strong start to the campaign and are fifth in the Western Conference.
The Blazers’s post-season credentials will now be put to the test, however, as they face fivegames in the next eight days without their leading player.
(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by John O’Brien)