Superstars Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers is out for the remainder of the season while Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans will also reportedly miss the rest of the 2021-22 campaign.
The Athletic's Shams Charania reported both on Monday with the Trail Blazers later confirming the news.
Lillard, 31, underwent abdominal surgery in January and has only played 29 games this season. The Trail Blazers announced on Feb. 29 that he had progressed through the initial phase of his rehab and would be evaluated in two weeks.
Charania reports that Lillard is making "tremendous" progress following his surgery, but that Portland has decided it's best to let him sit out the final 12 games as young players get the chance to play. In other Trail Blazers news, Charania reports Portland is expected to "seriously pursue" Detroit Pistons forward Jerami Grant this off-season.
Williamson, 21, has not played a game this season after undergoing surgery on a broken right foot in the summer. The 2021 All-Star was initially planning to make a return in December, but a series of setbacks have kept him out of the lineup.
Williamson is able to put weight on his foot and has been cleared to resume basketball activities by the Pelicans, but Charania reports the remaining 11 games "leaves an improbable window" for Williamson to complete ramp-up stages.
