Portland Trail Blazers forward Justise Winslow hasn’t played since spraining his left ankle in a game on Dec. 21 and doesn’t appear close to a return.
The team disclosed in a news release Friday that, after the All-Star break, Winslow sought a second opinion. As a result, he underwent a bone morrow aspirate concentrate procedure earlier this month to try to relieve the discomfort in his ankle.
Winslow, who turns 27 next week, will continue with his rehabilitation and be “re-evaluated in the coming weeks,” per the team.
The season ends April 9, so it appears likely he will miss the rest of the season.
He sustained the Grade 2 sprain during a 101-98 loss at Oklahoma City, and the Blazers initially said he would be re-evaluated in two weeks.
The Miami Heat selected Winslow with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. He was averaging 6.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists through the first 29 games (11 starts) of the season.
In 344 career NBA games (128 starts) for the Heat, Memphis Grizzlies, Los Angeles Clippers and Trail Blazers, Winslow owns career averages of 8.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists.
The Blazers (31-39) are in 13th place in the Western Conference, 2 1/2 games out of the final play-in spot.
Winslow will be an unrestricted free agent following this season.
–Field Level Media