Practice Report: Batum (concussion) clears “first stage,” Leonard (right foot) “limited”
Nicolas Batum (concussion) cleared the first stage of the concussion “protocols” before he is able to rejoin the Trail Blazers according to head coach Terry Stotts on Monday. Batum could be seen riding a stationary bike when the media were let into practice.
“Now he goes on to phase two,” said Stotts.
Batum explained that the second phase of him getting back to the court is going on the treadmill for some running and doing shooting by himself.
“After that, we will see,” Batum said.
Leonard limited, x-rays on Freeland negative
Meyers Leonard was diagnosed with a “right foot strain” on Thursday that he apparently sustained on October 9th against the Phoenix Suns. He did not play against Utah on Friday in Boise and was “limited” in practice today according to Terry Stotts.
Joel Freeland did not practice on Sunday and had a large bandage and ice around one his ring finger on his right hand. He underwent x-rays and they came back negative. Freeland tore a ligament in his right index finger last year.
Dorell Wright (dislocated right middle finger) fully participates in practice
Dorell Wright has not played in any of Portland’s preseason games after playing in Fan Fest on October 6th. Terry Stotts said that Wright was a full participant in the Blazers practice, which was “high energy but short in time.”
“It’s getting better. It’s a process,” Wright said of the finger which he had a brace on during practice. “When you’re dealing with something like this you need to stay on top of it. Get the right treatment.”
Wright says that he is being more conscious with keeping his hand straight so that the finger can heal faster. He says that the swelling has gone down in the thumb and that he’s getting used to catching the ball with both hands again.
“At first it was very tender,” Wright said. “When I was catching the ball I was catching it like a first basement and then bringing it to my right hand. Now I’m being more comfortable catching it with both hands.”
Erik Gundersen
Erik Gundersen is the Trail Blazers beat reporter for The Columbian. He's a graduate of the Allen School of Journalism and Communication at the University of Oregon in addition earning a degree in Spanish. He's covered the NBA for four seasons. You can also occasionally find his work on ESPN.com's NBA section for their TrueCities series. He also fist-bumped with Kanye West once. Follow @BlazerBanter on twitter for more Blazers and NBA news.