Oregon Public Broadcasting

Portland’s beloved Blazers return home Friday for the first home game of the season.

It’s a long-awaited moment for Blazer fans, but it comes without one major piece. First-round draft pick Greg Oden will be watching from the bench. Ethan Lindsey reports.

Last year was a surprisingly successful one for the Trailblazers, the youngest team in the National Basketball Association.

The team’s first home game this year, against the championship-contending San Antonio Spurs, could be a good indicator of where things are this year.

Or it could have been a good indicator until first-round draft pick Greg Oden sprained his foot in Tuesday’s game.

The Blazers lost that game, 96-76, to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Nate McMillan is the head coach of the Blazers.

Nate McMillan: “If there’s any good news, it’s the fact that he’s not lost for months. We’re looking at a week or so with this injury, and we can get him back pretty soon.”

Remember, Oden was sidelined all last year with a knee injury. And that has some fans worried about his long-term health.

The team says it's still hoping for big things from Oden, but not for 2-to-4 weeks.