Trail Blazers rising star Deni Avdija is considered a game-time decision heading into Portland's Jan. 18 road matchup against the Sacramento Kings. The Blazers announced that he was upgraded to questionable, and we will update his status accordingly as more information comes in leading up to the 6 p.m. PST tip-off.
Update: Deni Avdija (back) is available to play. Jerami Grant, Robert Williams III, and Jrue Holiday have all been downgraded from doubtful to out.
Portland Trail Blazers injury report
Here is Portland's injury report:
- Scoot Henderson: OUT (L Hamstring Tear)
- Damian Lillard: OUT (L Achilles Tendon)
- Kris Murray: OUT (Lumbar Strain)
- Matisse Thybulle: OUT (R Knee Tendinopathy)
- Blake Wesley: OUT (R Foot Fracture)
- Jerami Grant: OUT (L Achilles Injury Management)
- Jrue Holiday: OUT (R Calf Injury Management)
- Robert Williams III: OUT (L Knee Injury Management)
- Deni Avdija: AVAILABLE (Lower Back Strain)
Avdija suffered his lower back strain in the final two minutes of Portland's loss to the New York Knicks on Jan. 11. Despite his abscence, Portland has managed to win two of its last three games: a blowout loss to the Golden State Warriors, and then two blowout wins over the Atlanta Hawks and a shorthanded Los Angeles Lakers team without Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic.
Jrue Holiday's return was one silver lining to Avdija's injury, but Portland could now potentially be without its two best players, with Holiday listed as doubtful.
Sacramento will be without arguably its two best defenders, but Portland will be in an uphill battle if Avdija can't go. Still, it's encouraging that his status has been upgraded to questionable after previously being listed as doubtful in their last matchup against the Lakers.
Sacramento Kings injury report
Here is Sacramento's injury report:
- Keon Ellis: OUT (L Knee Soreness)
- Keegan Murray: OUT (L Ankle Sprain)
Don't be fooled by their 12-30 record; this Kings team has been playing much better basketball as of late. In fact, Sacramento has an active four-game winning streak with impressive wins over the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, and New York Knicks.
Portland has won its two previous matchups against Sacramento this season, but both games went down to the wire. The Blazers won a Dec. 18 contest 134-133 and a Dec. 20 contest 98-93.
The former was a thrilling overtime win in which DeMar DeRozan put the Kings on top with 4.4 seconds remaining after a tightly contested midrange jumper. With no timeouts, Avdija was forced to drive the length of the court, ultimately getting fouled by Russell Westbrook. It was a controversial call, but the NBA's last 2-minute report confirmed it was indeed the correct one.
If their past two contests are any indication, this game could come down to the wire yet again. Although with the way the Kings have looked lately, the Blazers sure could use their All-Star.
Stay tuned for updates.