Blazers' Roy questionable for Friday's game against Magic
By Brian T. Smith
Columbian staff writer
TUALATIN, Ore. — Portland Trail Blazers guard Brandon Roy underwent a magnetic resonance imaging exam Thursday that confirmed he has a right hamstring strain.
Roy is listed as questionable for tonight’s game against the Orlando Magic at the Rose Garden. He was held out of Portland’s practice Thursday as a precautionary measure, and was not made available to the media.
“It’s a little sore, a little tight,” said Blazers coach Nate McMillan, referring to Roy’s hamstring.
McMillan stated that he will consider holding Roy out versus the Magic, in the attempt to allow the guard’s hamstring to heal. If Roy does sit out, he could possibly have four consecutive days off before the Blazers take on the Washington Wizards next Monday.
“Brandon has to be the guy who lets us know where he is at,” McMillan said.
Roy, a fourth-year guard out of the University of Washington, is averaging 23.4 points, 5.1 assists and 4.6 rebounds this season. He has led the Blazers (24-16) in scoring in 19 of his last 22 games, and has carried the team through a season filled with injuries and setbacks.
Roy sat out the entire fourth quarter during Portland’s 120-108 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, and left for the locker room with about 6 minutes, 30 seconds left in the game.
McMillan told Roy during the contest he wanted to get three quarters in, and then pull Roy. By the three-minute mark of the third period, though, Roy told McMillan, “Get me.”
“He’s a tough guy,” McMillan said. “He’s probably played with this for a few days — a week or so — and he’s been able to play through it. Last night, he kept feeling like, ‘This is not feeling right.’ ”
Asked after the contest about the status of his hamstring, Roy said, “It’s seen better days.”
Notes
The Blazers are partnering with Mercy Corps to host a collection tonight for the Haiti earthquake response. Fans can donate via cash or check during entry to the Blazers-Magic game, and volunteers will accept donations at all of the Rose Garden’s main entries. Mercy Corps is deploying an emergency response team to aid earthquake survivors. For more information, visit blazers.com or mercycorps.org/haiti.
Today’s Game
Magic vs. Blazers, 7:30 p.m. at Rose Garden
TV: ESPN (35), KGW (8)
Radio: 95.5 FM
Probable Starters
Blazers (24-16)
Position/player Ht. Pts.
G Andre Miller 6-2 12.2
G Brandon Roy 6-6 23.4
F Martell Webster 6-7 10.1
F LaMarcus Aldridge 6-11 15.9
C Juwan Howard 6-9 5.4
Coach: Nate McMillan (5th season, 172-196)
Magic (26-13)
G Jameer Nelson 6-0 11.7
G J.J. Redick 6-4 9.8
F Matt Barnes 6-7 8.9
F Rashard Lewis 6-10 14.2
C Dwight Howard 6-11 16.9
Coach: Stan Van Gundy (3rd season, 137-66)
