Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard suffers groin injury; will miss NBA All-Star Game

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Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard suffered a right groin strain in the fourth quarter of their 111-104 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Head coach Terry Stotts told reporters post-game that Lillard will undergo an MRI on Friday.

The injury will also force Lillard to miss the NBA All-Star Game in Chicago, as well as the three-point contest, per Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes, opting to focus on his recovery. 

Lillard appeared to suffer the injury as he drove to the basket against Jonas Valanciunas, landing awkwardly before heading straight to the locker room.

"I mean when it happened, I just felt it," Lillard told reporters post-game. "I knew I pulled it."

"It made no sense to be out there for the last few minutes of the game and risk trying to play through it and making it worse, but I walked off the court just fine, even though it was like a little bit painful." 

Lillard had been enjoying one of the best offensive stretches of his career, averaging 40.3 points and 9.2 assists per game, shooting 51 percent from the field and 49 percent from three through his past 12 games. 

At 25-31, the Blazers will be hoping Lillard can make a speedy return as they continue their push for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. 

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Benyam Kidane is a senior NBA editor for The Sporting News.