The Official Site of Brandon Roy

Wed, Nov 12th 2008, 10:54

Brandon optimistic to play tonight with sore back

Brandon hurt his back in the Blazers win over the Magic, putting his status for tonight’s game in jeopardy.

“I Just went up to try and slap the ball from behind Jameer Nelson and I just landed on my heels flat-footed,” Brandon said yesterday. “Pain went straight up my back right after I did it.”

Brandon sat out practice Tuesday but is optimistic that he will be ready to go in tonight’s game against the Miami Heat.

“I think there’s a good chance,” Brandon said yesterday when asked about his status for Wednesday’s game. “I would say I’m hopeful. It’s just one of those where if the game were today, no, I couldn’t play. So I’m hoping. I’m going to get a massage today and treatment tonight and the same thing in the morning so hopefully I’ll be able to play.

“It’s kind of wait and see. If the game was today, I’d be like, no way. I would feel bad, but I couldn’t play tonight. It’s just a funny feeling. It’s spasms right here in my lower back. It’s really tight. I would say I’m hopeful to play tomorrow. I continue to do treatment. A big sign will be how it feels at shootaround tomorrow morning. It’s pretty weird.”

The injury is not suspected to be serious, and shouldn’t keep him out for more than one game if the blazer’s opt to rest him tonight.

“It’s better. I did treatment this morning, did some stuff here. It’s kind of a slow process, but I just want to get to where I can run up and down tomorrow. I should be able to play.”

“The only thing I’m a little worried about is when I go from the bent position to straight up really fast,” Roy said. “I woke up this morning like, ‘Man, if I had just one more day – if the game was tomorrow night – I would be perfect. But that’s not the case. I’m hoping once I warm up tonight it will get even better.”

“Who knows, in warmups I might do some moves and it might lock up,” Roy said. “And I might have to tell coach, ‘As bad as I want to, I can’t move’. But we will see. The good thing is it’s not the heel or knee.”