The Portland Trail Blazers have assigned big man Jusuf Nurkic to the G League’s Santa Cruz Warriors, the team announced Wednesday. Nurkic will practice with Santa Cruz on Wednesday and then return to Portland.

Members of the Blazers’ coaching and health staffs will journey with Nurkic to Santa Cruz.

This is another positive step in Nurkic’s recovery. He is expected to return on March 15 against the Rockets, barring any set backs.