Damian Lillard says that CJ McCollum played his last game of the regular season after being diagnosed with a popliteus strain in his left knee.

“I don’t want him to have to rush it. When he does come back, I want him to be himself and be healthy, so in my mind, we are going to finish the regular season without him," said Lillard.

McCollum will be re-evaluated later this week. Lillard added that learning to play without McCollum will make the team better in the future.

“We are in great position, and we need guys to be able to step up; it’s only going to be better for our team in the long run,” Lillard said.