Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts said prior to Friday night's game versus the Kings at the Moda Center that Al-Farouq Aminu, who suffered a left calf strain early in Portland's victory versus the Suns on November 8, will be "reevaluated in a couple weeks," meaning the 6-9 forward out of Wake Forest will be sidelined for the rest of the month, if not longer.
Aminu did not play in Portland's 111-80 loss to the Clippers in Los Angeles on Wednesday, with Noah Vonleh getting the start in his place, though Evan Turner started the second half. Stotts said it's very possible he'll continue to juggle the lineups until Aminu's return.
"Obviously being down as many as we were down it was a chance to look at a different lineup," said Stotts. "I think until (Aminu) comes back, that might happen again."
Aminu started every game last season and the first eight games of this season before injuring his left calf after four minutes of play versus the Suns on Wednesday. The injury appeared to be of the non-contact variety, with Aminu, who is averaging 6.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.5 steals in 26.1 minutes per game this season, doing nothing more than backpedaling on defense before asking to be let out of the game.
Stotts declined to mention who would start in Aminu's place Friday night versus the Kings. And whoever he goes with, there's no guarantee that player if likely to start the next game.
"We'll probably do whatever I think is best that night," said Stotts. "If things are going well I probably won't mess it up, or I'll try not to."