Portland Trail Blazers forward Evan Turner has been ruled out of Thursday's Game 3 against the New Orleans Pelicans because of a right toe contusion, the team announced.
Asked about Turner's status going forward, Portland coach Terry Stotts said, "I assume it's day-to-day because the decision wasn't made until this morning that he wasn't gonna play. So we'll see how it feels. Just right now he can't go."
Turner said he hoped to be back for Game 4.
"It's just a no-go right now. Hopefully Saturday ... I get to suit up and figure it out," Turner said. "I just couldn't put any real pressure on the big toe. I got kicked dead-on, and there was so much pressure on the nail and stuff, and a little bit below the toe. It's kind of better since Tuesday night, a little bit Wednesday. But it's painful and sensitive to the touch. Hopefully it heals up the way the way it's supposed to."
It's the reason Turner decided to make the trip.
"I don't really like sitting out games," he said. "I've probably missed 15 games my whole life. So I really want to make sure I have the opportunity to see if I can help my team."
Turner's absence certainly will affect the playing time of others in Game 3.
"Certainly Moe Harkless will play more. Pat Connaughton will play some. Shabazz Napier didn't get in last game, so there's a good chance that he'll get some minutes. But it'll be by committee," Stotts said.
Turner is averaging 6.5 points and 5.5 rebounds in Portland's first two games of its first-round series that New Orleans leads 2-0.
ESPN's Mike Triplett contributed to this report.
