Blazers rookie F Toumani Camara (rib/kidney) out for season

Field Level Media|published: Sat 30th March, 12:49 2024

Mar 27, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) dribbles the ball against Atlanta Hawks guard Bogdan Bogdanovic (13) during the first quarter at State Farm Arena. credits: Jordan Godfree-USA TODAY Sports

Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara will miss the remainder of the season to recover from a rib injury that left a small laceration on his kidney.

In Wednesday's 120-106 loss to the Atlanta Hawks, Camara left in the fourth quarter after taking a blow to his left side. Further testing revealed a fractured left rib as well as the kidney issue, with the Dayton product "expected to make a full recovery," according to the team

Camara, 23, remained under observation in Atlanta but was released and planned to return to Portland for continued testing and care.

Camara had been on a roll offensively leading up to the injury, averaging 9.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists over his previous 15 games. He shot 47.4 percent from the 3-point line in that span.

A second-round pick by the Phoenix Suns in the 2023 NBA Draft, Camara came to Portland as part of the blockbuster, three-team deal last October that included sending Damiam Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks and Jusuf Nurkic, Keon Johnson and Nassir Little to the Suns. The Suns sent Camara and Deandre Ayton to the Blazers.

Camara averaged 7.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists in his rookie campaign with the Blazers, who sit near the bottom of the Western Conference at 19-55. They next visit the Orlando Magic on Monday night.

—Field Level Media