Lillard sits out Blazers’ loss with calf tightness

NEW ORLEANS — The Portland Trail Blazers were without star guard Damian Lillard for Sunday night’s 127-110 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.

Lillard was listed on the injury report as probable with right calf tightness and went through his warmup before the team opted to rest him, making the announcement about 45 minutes before tipoff.

The Trail Blazers were finishing a six-game road trip in New Orleans on Sunday but have eight of their next nine games at home.

Portland is 31-37 this season, two games behind the Utah Jazz (33-35) for the final spot in the play-in tournament. Ahead of Portland are New Orleans and the Oklahoma City Thunder, both 33-35 and seeking a play-in berth as well.

Lillard has played in 54 games this season and had missed just one game since Dec. 4: the first game after the All-Star break, when the team rested him and Jerami Grant after weather delayed the team’s flight to Sacramento.

Lillard is averaging a career-high 32.7 points and scored a career-best 71 points on Feb. 26 in a game against the Houston Rockets.

Portland’s next game is at home Tuesday against the New York Knicks.