Blazers’ Aldridge leaves with back injury

SAN ANTONIO — Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge was carried off the court after sustaining a back injury early in the third quarter of Portland’s game against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday.

The team announced that Aldridge sustained a back contusion and that he would not return to the game.

Aldridge was driving the basket when he ran into Spurs center Aron Baynes and landed on his back. The Portland All-Star lay on the floor for several minutes holding his right leg before being helped off the court.

Entering the night, Aldridge was averaging 23.6 points and 11.2 rebounds per game. He missed five games in late February due to a left groin strain, but he returned to score in double figures in each of his first six games in March.