The Portland Trail Blazers are in their third game of a five-game home stretch as they face the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday, January 16. Tip-off at the Moda Center is scheduled for 7:00 PM PST.
This is the last time Portland will face the Clippers this season, with the teams splitting their first two games. The Blazers defeated the Clippers in exciting fashion on October 30, with a final score of 106-105.
The Clippers avenged their loss, winning 127-105 on December 3. Unsurprisingly, Portland enters the third matchup as underdogs.
The Blazers are 13th in the Western. Conference with a 13-26 record, while the Clippers sit fifth at 22-17. The two teams have also been trending in opposite directions heading into the game, with Portland looking to snap a three-game losing streak and LA on a two-game winning streak.
Both teams' recent game came against the Brooklyn Nets, and the results were staggering -- Rip City lost 132-114, and LA won 126-67. But this is a new day, a new 0-0 game, and a chance for the Blazers to right the ship. Both teams are without key players heading into the matchup.
Trail Blazers injury report vs. Clippers on Thursday, January 16
Here is the injury report for the Blazers:
- Donovan Clingan: OUT (L Ankle Sprain)
- Jerami Grant: OUT (Face Contusion)
- Matisse Thybulle: OUT (R Ankle Sprain)
- Deni Avdija: OUT (R Ankle Sprain)
- Robert Williams III: AVAILABLE (Illness)
Update: Avdija has been ruled out, but Williams is available, per Sean Highkin of Rip City Radio 620. The Blazers' starting lineup will remain the same as it was last game against Brooklyn: Scoot Henderson, Anfernee Simons, Shaedon Sharpe, Toumani Camara, and Deandre Ayton.
After missing the past two games, Robert Williams III has been upgraded from doubtful to questionable. That would be significant for Portland's center depth if Williams can go, considering Donovan Clingan has already been ruled out. The Blazers announced that Clingan suffered a mild left ankle sprain in Portland's loss to Brooklyn and will be re-evaluated in one week.
Los Angeles Clippers injury report
Here is the injury report for the Clippers:
- Kawhi Leonard: OUT (Rest)
- PJ Tucker: OUT (Away From Team Activities)
- Terance Mann: AVAILABLE (L Calf Soreness)
Update: Terance Mann is available to play. The Clippers will start James Harden, Norman Powell, Kris Dunn, Derrick Jones Jr., and Ivica Zubac.
After playing 24 minutes last night against Brooklyn, Kawhi Leonard will sit the second half of their back-to-back to rest. PJ Tucker is away from the team as Tucker and the Clippers mutually agreed to search for another landing spot for Tucker, per Joey Linn of SI.com. Terance Mann only played eight minutes before exiting with left calf soreness, and his status against Portland remains up in the air.