Nicolas Batum wrist injury

Forward Nicolas Batum (88) grimaces after injuring his wrist as the Portland Trail Blazers face the Boston Celtics at the Moda Center.

(Bruce Ely/The Oregonian)

Trail Blazers forward Nicolas Batum said he has been playing with a torn ligament in his right wrist since Dec. 17, when he fell after making a dunk against Milwaukee.

Batum missed the next game, Dec. 19 at San Antonio, then played in the next two games before sitting out the Dec. 23 game at Oklahoma City. He said he has aggravated the injury several times - usually when he falls to the court. On Thursday against Boston, it was a third quarter fall that took him out of the game and ultimately led to him missing Saturday's 103-96 victory over Washington.

Batum, who is wearing an immobilizing brace, said he is unsure whether he will rest and let the wrist heal, or continue playing through discomfort during the Blazers upcoming trip at Brooklyn, Cleveland, Atlanta and Milwaukee.

He is averaging 9.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 38 games. He is shooting 38.7 percent from the field and 27.6 percent from three-point range, figures he largely attributes to his ailing wrist.

"It's my shooting wrist,'' Batum said.

On Saturday, coach Terry Stotts started Allen Crabbe in place of Batum for the first half, then started Will Barton in the second half. Dorell Wright also saw extensive time, especially in the fourth quarter.

Crabbe played seven minutes and recorded an assist, Barton 22 minutes (four points and four rebounds) and Wright 21 minutes (10 points, six rebounds, three assists).

--Jason Quick

jquick@oregonian.com

@jwquick