The Portland Trail Blazers look to extend their two-game winning streak at home against the Philadelphia 76ers, which is also their last game of 2024. Despite the 76ers' championship aspirations following their blockbuster free agency signing of Paul George in the offseason, the two teams have similar records. Portland sits 13th in the Western Conference with an 11-20 record, while Philadelphia is 11th in the Eastern Conference at 12-17.
The 76ers still have plenty of time left in the season to right the ship, as injuries have played a significant role in their slow start. However, that could continue to be the case in their matchup against the Blazers, with superstar Joel Embiid's status up in the air due to a left foot sprain.
Blazers injury report vs. 76ers on Monday, Dec. 30
Portland doesn't have a superstar like Embiid, but multiple key contributors show up on their injury report, including two starters, Toumani Camara and Jerami Grant. Here is the Blazers' injury report:
- Dalano Banton: Out (left hip contusion)
- Toumani Camara: Available (left foot sprain)
- Jerami Grant: Out (face contusion)
- Robert Williams III: Available (right ankle sprain)
- Matisse Thybulle: Out (right ankle sprain)
Update: Sean Highkin of Rip City Radio 620 reports that Camara and Williams are available, but Banton and Grant have been ruled out. Portland will start Anfernee Simons, Shaedon Sharpe, Deni Avdija, Toumani Camara, and Deandre Ayton.
The Blazers were without Banton, Camara, Williams, and Thybulle in their 126-122 win over the Dallas Mavericks. Deni Avdija was questionable against the Mavericks with back soreness but is no longer on the injury report. Grant is the latest addition after suffering a face contusion.
It's also worth noting that Chauncey Billups is expected to be back coaching after missing Portland's last two games due to the unfortunate passing of his grandmother.
Philadelphia 76ers injury report
The most notable headliner is Embiid, and rightfully so. But Jared McCain, who was making a strong case for being the Rookie of the Year early on, is out indefinitely after undergoing surgery for a lateral meniscus tear. Here is the 76ers' injury report:
- Joel Embiid: Available (left foot sprain)
- Andre Drummond: Out (left toe sprain)
- Eric Gordon: Out (left oral surgery)
- Kyle Lowry: Out (right hip strain)
- KJ Martin: Out (left foot stress reaction)
- Jared McCain: Out (lateral meniscus tear)
Update: Gordon, Lowry, and Drummond have all been ruled out, but Embiid is available. Philadelphia will start Tyrese Maxey, Kelly Oubre Jr., Paul George, Caleb Martin, and Embiid.
Embiid's status will play a massive role in the Blazers' chances to pull off the upset at home and enter 2025 with a three-game winning streak. Embiid's backup, Andre Drummond, is questionable as well.
The 76ers' third-string center is Frenchman Guerschon Yabusele if neither center can go. Yabusele is undersized at 6-foot-8, which would give the Blazers a considerable size advantage for Deandre Ayton, Donovan Clingan, and Williams, should he be available.