Great news for Rockets fans: http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/sports/1166500525308980.xml&coll=7 Painful foot puts Randolph on crutches Rookie guard Brandon Roy might be ready to play again, but now the Blazers' top scorer is injured Tuesday, December 19, 2006 MIKE TOKITO TUALATIN -- Trail Blazers forward Zach Randolph was on crutches Monday because of what coach Nate McMillan termed a "mild sprain" in his right foot. Randolph said he woke up Monday morning and was surprised by pain on the top of his right foot. When he stood to get out of bed, the pain in the foot was so sharp, he fell to the floor. He was examined by a team doctor, who put him on crutches. "The X-rays are negative, but I think we're looking at (a magnetic resonance imaging) maybe tomorrow," McMillan said. Randolph said he did not trip or take a blow during practice Sunday and could not recall anything that would have caused an injury. His availability for Wednesday's game at the Rose Garden against Houston is up in the air. It is the latest in a long string of injuries that has plagued the Blazers since the start of training camp. Centers Joel Przybilla and LaMarcus Aldridge, forward Raef LaFrentz and guard Brandon Roy missed long stretches with injuries. But losing Randolph would be the biggest blow, especially at a time when the Blazers are playing well and on a four-game winning streak. Randolph is averaging 25.4 points and 10.1 rebounds. Randolph's injury comes as Roy, the team's prized rookie shooting guard, is preparing to return after a 20-game absence caused by pain in his left heel. On Monday, as Randolph sat in street clothes with a big ice bag wrapped to his foot, Roy practiced for the second consecutive day after not practicing for more than five weeks. "Today we wanted him to get a sweat," McMillan said. "He was going through some sets. We'll see how he feels tomorrow." Roy's status for Wednesday's game will depend on how he feels after today's practice and probably will be a game-time decision. McMillan, however, was pleased that Roy woke up Monday with no further pain after practicing Sunday. "Yeah, it is a good sign," McMillan said. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Blazers could get Brandon Roy back but if Zach Randolph is out that will be a huge blow to their chances of beating the Rockets.
I hope they are both ok and will play against the Rockets tomorrow. I don't want any excuses of when the Rockets beats this team without key players being out.
you do realize that tmac and snyder are out, and portland is not a team we have to worry about in the playoffs....personally ill take a W whenever i can.
excuses from who? I don't think Portland fans will really be making excuses if they get beat otherwise they would've had to have made 14 excuses thus far!
No one feels sorry for anyone else in this league. We're without T-Mac and Snyder. They're without Randolph and Miles. We're even. We need to take the opportunity. It will be tough for Yao to face Przybilla, Magliore, and Lafrentz - a plethora of good, big defenders. Also, we better keep Lamarcus Aldridge in check and not let him have his first big game in big minutes. We just need solid defense, and make sure we take advantage of the attention they put on Yao.
If that's even, then I'll take my $45 and buy myself a Bugatti. We should have no concern for any team. They should consider themselves lucky that we don't put Mutombo out there for 25 min so he can knock someone unconscious.
