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The Blazers were without star guard Damian
Lillard, who was sidelined due to back spasms.
"It felt great to be back in the flow of the game, be back on
the court, be back to where I think I belong at," Anthony said
postgame, according to ESPN. "Just being back out there with the
guys again. I think most of all the routine -- team bus, team
lunch, being around the guys in the locker room -- just the
routine I've been used to for 17 years now ... so getting back
into that. As far as the game goes, it felt good to be back out
there."
The Trail Blazers activated Anthony prior to the contest. Coach
Terry Stotts told reporters Anthony would start at power forward
and play about 20 minutes, and the 10-time All-Star did start
and wound up playing 23:37. Anthony hit 4 of 14 shots, including
2 of 3 from 3-point range.
Lillard was scratched due to the back soreness he has dealt with
for close to a week. He has hit just 10 of 46 shots over his
past three games.
It wasn't immediately known whether Lillard would miss more than
one game. He is averaging 28.6 points and 7.1 assists in 14
games.
According to reports, Anthony's one-year, non-guaranteed
contract is worth up to $2.15 million.
The 35-year-old veteran had not played a game in the NBA since
Nov. 8, 2018 with the Houston Rockets. Houston traded him to
Chicago on Jan. 22, and the Bulls waived him on Feb. 1.
Before Tuesday, Anthony held career NBA averages of 24.0 points,
6.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.02 steals in 1,064 games (1,056
starts) over 16 seasons with Denver, New York, Oklahoma City and
Houston.
The Blazers granted Anthony's request to return to the league in
uniform number No. 00.
--Field Level Media
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