This is bad news for Portland.
Portland Trail Blazers star LaMarcus Aldridge has a torn ligament in his left thumb and will miss 6-8 weeks, the team announced Tuesday. The injury will require surgery.
Aldridge suffered the injury in the second quarter of Monday night's 98-94 victory over the Sacramento Kings. The injury occurred when Aldridge swiped down on the ball as DeMarcus Cousins drove to the basket.
X-rays after the game were negative, but Aldridge's hand was heavily wrapped and further evaluation showed (injury).
Along with Damian Lillard, Aldridge has been a key component of Portland's 31-11 start. Aldridge is averaging 23.2 points and 10.2 rebounds while shooting 46.2 percent on the season. The big man has also started to take three-pointers with more regularity this season, and he's making 51.2 percent of those threes on just over one attempt per game.
With starting center Robin Lopez still recovering from his own hand injury and Aldridge now out for the time being, the Blazers' frontcourt depth will be tested. Thomas Robinson and Victor Claver will man the power forward spot with Aldridge out, and Lillard will have to take on an even greater offensive burden.
It would also help if Nicolas Batum breaks out of his slump as he recovers from knee and wrist injuries. Batum is averaging just 8.9 points while shooting 38.5 percent overall and 25.8 percent from three.
Portland wraps up January with six of seven games against the Eastern Conference, but five of those six games are against East playoff teams, although the Brooklyn Nets are teetering in the final playoff spot.