The San Antonio Spurs have announced that forward LaMarcus Aldridge has been cleared to resume basketball activities. He was sidelined the past two games with minor heart arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat. He will be active for the Spurs’ game tonight against the Portland Trail Blazers. There will not be a minutes restriction.
LaMarcus Aldridge is available to play tonight. pic.twitter.com/rBq0wllVzT
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) March 15, 2017
Report: LaMarcus Aldridge Cleared to Resume Basketball Activities
Not only in this great news for Aldridge’s basketball career, but it is great news for his health as well. We have seen other players deal with this issue and have to miss an extended period of time. It should be noted that Aldridge has dealt with heart arrhythmia earlier in his career. While it is unfortunate that it happened again, it is good to see that he missed less time. He missed nine games when it happened for the first time in 2007.
The Fight for the Top Seed
The Spurs need Aldridge for their playoff run. Kawhi Leonard cannot get the job done by himself. While it has been somewhat of an underwhelming season for Aldridge, he still produces and can flip the switch at any moment. If he is fully healthy for the rest of the season, the championship hopes for the Spurs will stay alive.
During this time, the Spurs have been able to get back in the hunt for the top seed in the Western Conference. They are currently sitting at 52-14 and are a half-game back of the Golden State Warriors. With Kevin Durant still sidelined for the Warriors, the Spurs can steal the top seed. Any team would want home-court advantage for the entire playoffs. The fight for the top seed over the last 16 games will be exciting to watch.
Main Photo
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – OCTOBER 28: LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the San Antonio Spurs posts up against Steven Adams #12 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first quarter of a NBA game at the Chesapeake Energy Center on October 28, 2015 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images)