Blazers' LaMarcus Aldridge out with thumb injury

Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge needs surgery for a torn ligament in his left thumb and will miss six to eight weeks, the team announced Thursday night.

Aldridge, 29, was hurt in the second quarter of Portland's 98-94 victory Monday against the Sacramento Kings. The 6-11 forward leads the Blazers (31-12) in averaging 23.2 points and 10.2 rebounds a game.

This injury will be tough on the Blazers, who are 11-7 the past two seasons when Aldridge sits. Portland has lost four of five entering Thursday's game against the Boston Celtics.

Center Robin Lopez also is out and should return in one to three weeks.

Portland likely will lean on former lottery picks Thomas Robinson and Meyers Leonard with Aldridge out. Robinson, who was drafted fifth overall in 2012 but already is on his third team, averaged 9.0 points and 7.7 rebounds per game in three starts this season. Leonard, the 11th pick in the 2012 draft, averaged 10.0 points and 8.0 rebounds in his two starts.

Aldridge likely would have played in the 2015 All-Star Game and still should be selected as a reserve, which would allow him to be replaced by Western Conference coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors.