Rip City Project
Fansided

Trail Blazers: Skal Labissiere’s MRI announced as “inconclusive”

PORTLAND, OREGON - DECEMBER 21: Skal Labissiere #17 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves during their game at Moda Center on December 21, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - DECEMBER 21: Skal Labissiere #17 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves during their game at Moda Center on December 21, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)

The Portland Trail Blazers suffer another blow as back-up big man Skal Labissiere’s MRI results came back as inconclusive, following his recent knee injury.

I’m not sure what’s getting smaller in a quicker way, the Portland Trail Blazers’ chances of a successful season, or the average height of healthy players on their roster. Following Skal Labissiere’s latest knee injury, both seem to be plummeting at an astonishing rate.

Skal was named in the starting five for the first time this season against the Lakers on Saturday night, but lasted just 2 minutes, as he limped off with a left knee problem.

The results have since come back in, and Skal won’t play a part in Portland’s upcoming 5-game road trip — the injury has been stated as “left knee inflammation”, per Casey Holdahl.

Six months ago, I certainly wouldn’t have thought this sort of news would be a blow, but he we are. Labissiere has steadied the ship in many ways this season, as injuries to key starters have continuously disrupted the Blazers’ season.

Skal is currently averaging 5.8 points and 5.1 rebounds on the year, and has been a pleasant surprise for Rip City this year, and has done a respectable job in filling the current hole in Portland’s front-court. Terry Stotts handing him the start vs the Lakers was a testament to how far Skal has come in such a short amount of time; remember he was traded straight up for likely bust Caleb Swanigan.

However, the Blazers will have to cope without Labissiere for the next 5 games at least. The Blazers will probably have to roll out a small-ball lineup for stretches in these games — Anthony Tolliver will be the man to most likely fill in at center.

In addition to this, the Blazers have also called up Moses Brown from the Texas Legends. The 7,2 center has played just four times for Portland this year, but his size could be crucial if the Blazers want to escape this road-trip relatively unscathed.

Labissiere’s injury leaves the Blazers with just two healthy players taller than 6-foot-8 (Whiteside and Brown), but will have to make do without him. Phoenix is their first stop on the road-trip, as the Blazers will look to put the injury worries behind them, and continue the battle for playoff spot.