NBA's Lillard out six weeks or more after abdominal surgery

The operation was performed in Philadelphia to repair what the team called in a statement "a core injury causing chronic abdominal pain."

Lillard, who last played in a December 31 road loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, will be re-evaluated in six weeks.

In 29 games this season, all as a starter, Lillard has averaged 24.0 points (14th in the NBA), 4.1 rebounds and 7.3 assists per contest.

The injury had been bothering the 31-year-old six-time NBA All-Star since he helped the United States win a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics last August.

"At the Olympics it was as bad as it has been and I was just like 'Man, this is a real issue,'" Lillard said in a posting on the Blazers website.

"I took like 30 days where I didn't do nothing and I felt a lot better coming into camp. It hadn't been giving me any trouble because I was coming off such a long break.

"Then I started to feel it again and I was like 'Man, I thought the rest would help for a longer period of time.' But it didn't."

Lillard has missed 11 games this season for the Trail Blazers, who rank 10th in the Western Conference at 16-24.

"I know (surgery) is ultimately going to be what's best for the team," said Lillard on the team website. "I would rather be selfish for the team, what I see for our organization and where I want it to go.

"It's like, all right, take a step back to take how many steps forward. It's just what had to happen."

Lillard would return at the earliest right after the NBA All-Star Game break next month, which would be six weeks before the conclusion of the NBA season.

© 2022 AFP