Nicolas Batum’s ailing right wrist is not right and it’s unclear when it might be right again. Batum played a gutsy 35 minutes against the Minnesota Timberwolves, wincing and grimacing every time he banged his wrist the wrong way. It clearly affected his play as he looked nothing like the player Blazers fans have watched all season — a borderline All-Star and triple-double waiting to happen.

It doesnt always really bother me, but today it was really painful, Batum said after the Blazers beat the Timberwolves. I was really scared about every contact. I didnt really want to shoot it, Batum admitted after the game. And I take those shots alllllll day. Maybe too much sometimes. On Jan. 31, he underwent an MRI that came back negative and he has not missed a game with the injury. But its fair to wonder: How long will that last? I have to fight through it, I have to play through it, Batum said. Especially with the next two or three games we have coming up. I cant really miss games. I have to keep playing.
Analyst: Rotoinfo News  View Profile