Sources: Festus Ezeli may get season-ending surgery on left knee
— -- OAKLAND -- Portland Trail Blazers center Festus Ezeli is contemplating a procedure on his left knee that would rule him out for the rest of the season, according to league sources.
No final decision has been made, but sources told ESPN.com that Ezeli and the Trail Blazers are strongly considering the surgical route because Ezeli has not been able to play in Portland's first 29 games this season.
"Everyone has moments of setback. It's unfortunate and disappointing that I am facing one of those right now," Ezeli told The Undefeated. "My aim is to fundamentally address issues that have lingered so that I can be the best that I can be, to help my team contend for and win the title. To all concerned I assure this: My love for the game nothing but ensures that I will be back better and stronger than ever, and you can take that to the bank."
Blazers coach Terry Stotts wouldn't confirm whether Ezeli was considering season-ending surgery, given that he has yet to play for his new team.
"I really don't have any comment on it, on his health or any medical procedure until something is scheduled or something's actually done," Stotts said after Saturday's 135-90 loss to the Golden State Warriors.
Ezeli, 27, signed a two-year, $15 million deal with the Trail Blazers last summer. The second year of the contract is a team option.
Ezeli missed all of his first training camp with the Blazers, as well as exhibition play, after recovering from offseason knee injections that included a bone marrow aspirate.
A 7-footer from Vanderbilt, Ezeli spent his first four seasons in the league with the Warriors. He missed the entire 2013-14 season following surgery on his right knee and missed six weeks last season after undergoing surgery on his left knee.
Ezeli has traveled with the team the past few weeks but has not spoken to the media about his condition.
Information from The Undefeated's Marc J. Spears and The Associated Press was used in this report.
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