The Portland Trail Blazers have been one of the most injured teams in the league this season. Unfortunately, that trend continues in Monday's matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers. A total of seven players pop up on the injury report for Portland, compared to just two for Philadelphia.
Both teams' respective stars -- Portland's Deni Avdija and Philadelphia's Joel Embiid -- are listed as questionable heading into the contest. We will update the status of every player as more information comes in closer to tip-off. This one's scheduled for 7:00 p.m. PT at the Moda Center.
Portland Trail Blazers injury report
Here is Portland's injury report:
- Deni Avdija: QUESTIONABLE (Low Back Strain)
- Robert Williams III: QUESTIONABLE (L Knee Mgmt)
- Scoot Henderson: PROBABLE (L Hamstring Mgmt)
- Damian Lillard: OUT (L Achilles)
- Kris Murray: OUT (Lumbar Strain)
- Shaedon Sharpe: OUT (L Calf Sore)
- Matisse Thybulle: OUT (R Knee Tendinopathy)
The Blazers' backcourt was finally healthy due to the returns of Blake Wesley and Scoot Henderson. But anyone who's followed this season knows that one player returns just in time for another to go down. Sharpe was the latest injury after exiting their Feb. 6 contest against the Memphis Grizzlies with left calf soreness. The silver lining is that it's characterized as soreness rather than a strain. Nonetheless, it's frustrating timing as Blazers fans have yet to see this team fully healthy.
It could be the first time we see Scoot Henderson and Deni Avdija playing together. If Avdija is able to return, it will be interesting to watch the offensive hierarchy. He took on more of a point-forward role in Henderson's absence and filled that playmaking void well, so acting head coach Tiago Splitter will have to decide whose going to initiate most of the offense.
Scoot had an encouraging season debut on Friday, shaking off rust to finish with 11 points, nine assists, and five rebounds. Portland will need him to make a playoff push down the stretch, but especially if Avdija remains sidelined in the short term.
Philadelphia 76ers injury report
Here is Philadelphia's injury report:
- Joel Embiid: QUESTIONABLE (R Knee Mgmt)
- Paul George: OUT (Suspension)
Even if Embiid isn't able to go, this is an up-and-coming 76ers team that has retooled around their dynamic backcourt of Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. Their star center has played only 31 games this season, yet they sit 6th in the Eastern Conference at 30-22. Regardless of Embiid's status, the 76ers are shorthanded after Paul George's 25-game suspension for violating the NBA's anti-drug policy.
The Blazers are currently listed as slight underdogs (+3.5 according to DraftKings Sportsbook), but that line could shift drastically depending on the status of Avdija and Embiid.
Stay tuned for updates as Portland looks to extend its winning streak to three.