Nicolas Batum Injury: Updates on Trail Blazers Forward's Knee and Return

Portland Trail Blazers forward Nicolas Batum suffered a right knee injury in the first quarter of Monday's road game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. An MRI confirmed he has a knee contusion, and he will miss the Mavericks contest on Wednesday.

Continue for updates.

---

Batum out vs. Dallas with Knee Contusion

Tuesday, April 14

The Trail Blazers' official PR Twitter feed confirmed that an MRI revealed Batum has a right knee contusion. He will miss the Mavericks game on Wednesday.

On April 13, the team indicated Batum wouldn't return after his departure from the court at Chesapeake Energy Arena:

NBA.com captured video footage of the play Batum was hurt on:

With the playoffs just around the corner, this isn't what anyone with any investment in the Blazers wanted to see. The fact that it appeared to be a non-contact injury was especially discouraging.

However, the fact it is only a knee contusion is positive news for both Batum and the Blazers.

Batum stuffs the stat sheet for Portland, averaging 9.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.9 assists per contest, and he's a versatile perimeter defender who can't be replaced.