Don't be surprised if Damian Lillard has played his last game of the 2021-22 NBA season.

As the Portland Trail Blazers sink lower toward the bottom of the Western Conference standings, Lillard continues to deal with a case of lower abdominal tendinopathy that's had him in and out of the lineup and playing well below his All-NBA standard.

Lillard will not travel with the team on its upcoming six-game road trip, and he is expected to meet with a specialist this week to determine the next steps in managing the injury. Serious consideration has been given to Lillard taking significant time off to heal, effectively ending the Blazers' hopes at a playoff run.

Source: Sean Highkin of Bleacher Report

ANALYSIS: Lillard has been in and out of the lineup for Portland this season because of a nagging abdominal injury that has reportedly been bothering him for the past 3.5 years. The Blazers currently sit 10th in the Western Conference standings, which is the cut off seed to make the play-in tournament. If the Blazers do choose to shut Lillard down, Anfernee Simons figures to continue to get the start at guard.