Roy says he will start Game 6

TUALATIN, Ore. — Portland Trail Blazers guard Brandon Roy said Wednesday he will start Game 6 against the Phoenix Suns.

Roy was in the starting rotation for Portland’s practice Wednesday. The three-time All-Star said he will not have his minutes limited during Game 6, which will mark his first start of the series if Blazers coach Nate McMillan places Roy in the first rotation.

McMillan stated that he had not made a final decision about Roy’s status.

“We’ll see,” McMillan said.

But Roy was adamant that he would start, and said McMillan hold told him he would take the court first.

Meanwhile, Roy acknowledged that he did not know if he could produce a 20-point performance. But he said he will attempt to leave everything he has on the court.

“I’m just going to try and play as hard as I can,” said Roy, who missed Games 1-3 while recovering from knee surgery.

Roy came off the bench in Games 4-5 for the Blazers, who face a 3-2 deficit in a Western Conference best-of-seven first-round playoff series. Game 6 is an elimination contest for Portland. The matchup will tip off at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Rose Garden.

“We’re going to have to outplay this team if we want to beat them,” Roy said.