As the 2014-2015 Portland Trail Blazers went out with a whimper rather than a bang against the Memphis Grizzlies, it was apparent to anyone watching that injuries had really gotten to the team. The biggest one was certainly Wesley Matthews’, whose complete absence was felt acutely.
But, LaMarcus Aldridge was playing on a bad thumb, Nicolas Batum’s wrist seemed to be messed up for the entire season, and while not officially injured once his sprained fingers healed, Damian Lillard seemed understandably fatigued. The last yet unmentioned starter, Robin Lopez, missed significant time himself with a broken hand earlier in the season.