The Trail Blazers' worst fears were confirmed Thursday night when the team announced guard Wesley Matthews will miss the remainder of the season after he ruptured his left Achilles tendon against the Dallas Mavericks.

With just over ten minutes to play in the third quarter, Matthews caught a pass on the right wing above the three point line, attempted to drive and went down to the floor, immediately grabbing at his lower left leg. He did not make contact with any other player on the play.

He stayed on the court and did not attempt to get up as the Mavericks gained possession of the ball. Matthews was helped off the court without putting any pressure on his left leg.

The Blazers initially announced that Matthews had a "left foot injury" and would not return to the game. Following magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests on Matthews' left leg, the team updated his status saying he would miss the remainder the Blazers season with the Achilles injury.

Rehab for a ruptured Achilles is usually projected between six to nine months. The Blazers have not announced if or when Matthews will undergo surgery for the injury.

Matthews had started all 59 games for the Blazers this season, averaging 16.2 points and 3.7 rebounds. He had played in 142 consecutive games for Portland, but will be a free agent this summer.

The Blazers (41-19) are in third place in the Western Conference with 22 games remaining in the regular season.

-- Mike Richman

mrichman@oregonian.com | 503-221-8162 | @mikegrich