These are trying times for one of the Trail Blazers' prized possessions, 20-year-old point guard Sebastian Telfair.

After missing the past six games with a ligament sprain in his right thumb, Telfair had hoped to return to the Blazers' lineup tonight when former coach Maurice Cheeks and the Philadelphia 76ers come to the Rose Garden. But Telfair said Tuesday that his target return date has been pushed back to Jan. 3.

The Blazers insisted Telfair go through another checkup with doctors and endure more full-speed practices before returning to action, the second-year guard said. Under that scenario, he'll miss at least three more games.

"I feel like I could play right now," Telfair said. "If it was up to me . . . you know how it goes."