Injury News: Damian Lillard, Jerami Grant Will Play vs Houston Rockets

Portland Trail Blazersguard Damian Lillard and forward Jerami Grant are active for Sunday’s game against theHouston Rockets, according toSean Highkin of The Rose Garden Report. Both Lillard and Grantsat out for rest purposesagainst theSacramento Kingson Thursday.

Chauncey Billups says Damian Lillard and Jerami Grant will be active and playing tomorrow vs. Houston.

This comes as no surprise. It was widely speculated that Lillard and Grant were rested due to the team’s suboptimal travel situation. The Trail Blazersspent seven hours aboard a planefor a flight that was eventually cancelled due to a winter storm, before driving home in bumper-to-bumper traffic and catching a late flight the next day.

Some members of the national media conjectured that Portland’s last-minute lineup change on Thursdaysignaled blatant tanking, though Lillard wouldmake it clear on Twitterthat this is not the case.

Now well-rested and playing at home, both Lillard and Grant are ready to go. The same cannot be said for center Jusuf Nurkic (calf), guard Anfernee Simons (ankle), and forward Justise Winslow (ankle), who are progressing but arenot yet ready to return from injury.

The Trail Blazers currently occupy the No. 12 spot in the Western Conference standings with a record of 28-31. While this is less than ideal, the conference is exceptionally close. Portland is only three games behind the No. 6Dallas Mavericks(32-29). The Rockets, clinging tightly to last place, represent an opportunity for the Trail Blazers to get back on track.