Blazers’ Damian Lillard Likely to Return vs. Pacers

Trail Blazers star guard Damian Lillard is expected to return from a calf injury for Sunday’s home game vs. the Pacers, per Aaron Fentress of the Oregonian.

Coach Chauncey Billups said he wasn’t sure when Lillard would return when asked about a report from TNT’s Chris Haynes that the day would be Sunday. Haynes was the first to report Lillard’s looming return, and a source told Fentress it is “nearly 100 percent” that Lillard will indeed be available Sunday.

Lillard, 32, has been out since mid-November with a calf strain, but is off to another fantastic start, as the Blazers’ are looking like a playoff contender. Through 11 appearances this season, he is averaging 26.3 points and 7.0 assists, shooting 42 percent from the field.

He missed the second half of last season after undergoing abdominal surgery in January. He also injured his calf in October and missed a few games after that, before briefly returning.