Nicolas Batum gets good news from doctor; return slated for late January

The Trail Blazers are targeting forward Nicolas Batum to return late this month - possibly a Jan. 25 home game against New Orleans -after Batum’s surgically-repaired right shoulder received a positive checkup on Monday.

Batum, who was estimated to be out 3-to-5 months when he underwent surgery on Oct. 30, was examined Monday morning in Los Angeles by the doctor who performed his surgery.

“He’s right on track,’’ general manager Kevin Pritchard said. “Everything looks really good. My guess is (his return) is still three weeks away.’’

Batum will accompany the team on its Jan. 18-Jan. 23 trip to Washington, Philadelphia, Boston and Detroit, but Pritchard said the plan is to have Batum use the trip as a way to get acclimated to shooting and playing with the team in practices and before games.

“I think (his return) will be after that trip,’’ Pritchard said. “It will be good to have him back.’’

Batum still hasn’t been cleared for contact in practices, but he continues to shoot and run drills more and more with each day.

A starter for 76 games last season at small forward, Batum is the team's best perimeter defender and an emerging offensive player. He injured his shoulder on March 11 last season in a game against Dallas, but played through the pain the rest of the season and into the summer while playing for the French National team.

He aggravated the injury during training camp, and after rebuffing the suggestion of surgery, he eventually agreed to fix his torn labrum the day before the regular season started.