Blazers C Kanter starts despite shoulder ailment

Portland Trail Blazers centre Enes Kanter, who was listed as questionable for Monday night's series opener in Denver due to a shoulder injury, got the start against the Nuggets. Kanter, 26, separated his left shoulder in Game 5 of the Blazers' first-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 23.

He told reporters earlier Monday that he hoped to be on the floor for Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Nuggets. "Some players stay in the league for 14, 15 years and don't even make the playoffs, so it's a huge blessing to be here in this position," he said. "Just to be here is a blessing for me. I would love to play, but it's the trainer's decision."

Portland guard CJ McCollum said he expected Kanter to play. "He'll be all right," McCollum said, per NBA.com. "We're not worried about him. He's a tough guy. He'll do what it takes to get out there."

Kanter started all five games against the Thunder and averaged 13.2 points and 10.2 rebounds.