The 11-22 Portland Trail Blazers are still seeking their first win of 2025 after losing 114-106 to the Los Angeles Lakers on Jan. 2. They are in the second game of a five-game road trip, this time taking on the 17-15 Milwaukee Bucks, with tip-off scheduled for 5:00 PM PST at the Fiserv Forum.
The Blazers enter this game as heavy underdogs going up against the NBA Cup champions, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo and, of course, Damian Lillard, arguably the greatest Blazers player of all time. This matchup will be the first of two times this season that the Blazers and Lillard get to have a reunion. They also play in Portland later this month on Tuesday, Jan. 28, which is the only game the Blazers have all season that will be aired on TNT.
Blazers injury report vs. Bucks on Saturday, Jan. 4
Here is Portland's injury report:
- Jerami Grant: Out (face contusion)
- Matisse Thybulle: Out (right ankle sprain)
The Blazers have two players popping up on the injury report, but both have already been ruled out. This will be Grant's third consecutive game missed after suffering a face contusion in Portland's 126-122 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Dec. 28.
Expect Chauncey Billups to start Deni Avdija in Grant's place. Their starting five should be Anfernee Simons, Shaedon Sharpe, Toumani Camara, Deni Avdija, and Deandre Ayton.
Meanwhile, Thybulle has yet to suit up for the Blazers in 2024-25. He initially looked set to return for the Blazers after undergoing offseason knee surgery, but then had an unfortunate setback with a Grade 2 right ankle sprain. The Blazers don't want to rush Thybulle back by any means, but hopefully, they can get him back on the court prior to the Feb. 6 trade deadline to showcase to teams that he's healthy and boost his trade value.
Milwaukee Bucks injury report
Here is Milwaukee's injury report:
- Giannis Antetokounmpo: Available (right patella tendinopathy)
- AJ Green: Available (lumbar contusion)
- Khris Middleton: Available (bilateral ankle surgery)
Update: As expected, Antetokounmpo, Green, and Middleton are all available.
As of now, it seems that the Bucks will have everyone healthy enough to go, with all three players listed as probable. If that is the case, expect their starting lineup to be Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton, Andre Jackson Jr., Giannis, and Brook Lopez.
It's also worth noting that Milwaukee has four players who will not be available as they are still in the G League: AJ Johnson, Chris Livingston, Liam Robbins, and Tyler Smith.