NBA Notes: Trail Blazers, Damian Lillard, Pacers, Mavs

Trail Blazers

Star guard Damian Lillard is targeting a return from injury Sunday, when the Trail Blazers host the Pacers, per Chris Haynes of TNT/Bleacher Report.

Lillard, 32, has been out since mid-November with a calf strain. is off to another fantastic start, as the Blazers’ are looking like a playoff contender. He is averaging 26.3 points and 7.0 assists, shooting 42 percent from the field.

• Forward Jerami Grant is set to hit free agency in July, but from the sounds of things, he’s enjoying life with the Blazers. “I’m satisfied right now,” Grant told Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. “I’m really happy with what we’re doing. We’ll just talk about (free agency) when it comes.”

Pacers

Center Myles Turner said he isn’t letting the trade rumors impact his play, via Law Murray of The Athletic.

“Nothing changes,” Turner told Murray. ”Just go out there and focus on getting wins for this team. That’s just where my focus lies. You can’t pay attention to outside noise … doesn’t change anything, bro. All I can do is go out there and play my game.”

Turner has been linked to the Lakers, Clippers and Warriors, and with the Pacers currently in Los Angeles, the noise has only grown louder. Same goes for the chatter surrounding shooting guard Buddy Hield, who has also been linked to the Lakers.

“It’s been great to be with those guys,” coach Rick Carlisle told reporters. “I can see where people would have interest in them. I have a lot of interest in not trading them, you know?”

Mavericks

• Star guard Luka Doncic had a another 40-point, triple-double outburst, this time in Tuesday’s thrilling win over the Warriors. But he clearly isn’t satisfied. “I got to make my free throws,” he said, via Callie Caplan of the Dallas Morning News.
• The outcome of that game wasn’t settled until Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson missed a clean look at the final buzzer. “I was scared, I’m not going to lie, because it’s Klay,” Doncic said, via Caplan. “He don’t miss many open shots.”
• In case you missed it, veteran point guard Kemba Walker talked about his decision to sign with the Mavs. We have the full post here.