Trail Blazers All-Star Brandon Roy underwent a magnetic resonance imaging test on his balky right hamstring Thursday morning and has been diagnosed with a strain.
Roy, who aggravated his hamstring during the Blazers' 120-108 win over the Milwaukee Bucks Wednesday night, skipped Thursday's practice and is listed as questionable for tomorrow's game against the Orlando Magic at the Rose Garden.
"It's a little sore, a little tight," coach Nate McMillan said of Roy's hamstring. "We'll look at that tomorrow."
McMillan and the Blazers will have to balance playing Roy on Friday — and risk causing more damage and perhaps forcing an extended absence — or being cautious. After facing the Magic, the Blazers will have two days off before they embark on a four-game East Coast trip that starts with a Monday game at Washington.
"Brandon has to be the guy who lets us know where he's at," McMillan said. "We'll talk to (athletic trainer) Jay (Jensen) and make a decision on (whether) we hold him tomorrow and give him a couple days (off), because then we have two days before his next game."
McMillan refused to speculate about who might start in Roy's place if he can't go, but the most likely candidates are Rudy Fernandez and Jerryd Bayless. Fernandez played his first game since Dec. 1 Wednesday night against the Milwaukee Bucks, scoring two points in a little over 15 minutes, so extended playing time could be an issue.
Bayless started at shooting guard for Roy against the San Antonio Spurs in December, when Roy was unable to play because of a sore shoulder. Bayless responded with his best game as a professional, finishing with 31 points and seven assists during a 98-94 win.
"He's a tough guy," McMillan said of Roy. "He's probably played with this for a few days, a week or so, and he's been able to play through it. But last night, he kept feeling like this doesn't feel right."
Roy felt a significant pull in the third quarter against the Bucks and, with the Blazers cruising to a convincing victory, asked McMillan to pull him from the game. He did not play in the fourth quarter.
"It's seen better days," Roy said Wednesday night about his hamstring. "In the third quarter I made a play and it kind of grabbed on me a little bit."
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