How long is Damian Lillard out? Calf injury timeline, return date, latest updates on Trail Blazers guard

Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard exited his team’s 119-108 loss to the Miami Heat on Wednesday night with a calf injury. 

Lillard was limping and went straight to the locker room with five minutes remaining in the third quarter. He did not return to the game.

Damian Lillard (right calf strain) – Will not return

— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) October 27, 2022

Here’s everything we know about his injury and the latest on when he may return to the court.

What is Damian Lillard’s injury?

The guard has been diagnosed with a right calf strain, but after the game he downplayed the severity of the injury. 

“It wasn’t nothing that I was overly concerned with,” he told reporters.

“I just know that it wouldn’t make sense to try and push through it in the fifth game of the season.”

Damian Lillard on his calf injury. Part 1 pic.twitter.com/bOCpNwOTT8

— Aaron J. Fentress (@AaronJFentress) October 27, 2022

He exited the game against the Heat with 22 points on 6-of-13 shooting (4 of 11 from 3-point range), two rebounds, two assists and a steal in 27 minutes.

Lillard has started the season with a bang while leading the Blazers to a 4-1 record, including back-to-back 41-point games against the Suns and Lakers. Wednesday’s loss was the Blazers’ first of the season. 

How long will Damian Lillard be out?

On Thursday, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that Lillard will be re-evaluated in 1-to-2 weeks as he recovers from the calf strain.

Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard will be re-evaluated in 1-to-2 weeks with a calf strain, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 27, 2022

“Honestly, if this was a playoff game, I would have played,” he said. “It would have been tight and uncomfortable, but I would have played. If that gives you any indication of how concerned I am now or would have been.”

Last season, Lillard missed 53 games with an abdominal injury 

Check back here for more updates on Lillard’s status as they are made available. 

Trail Blazers upcoming schedule

The Blazers face a tricky upcoming schedule, with the Grizzlies, Suns (twice) and Heat in four of their next five games.