The Portland Trail Blazers started a historically young lineup against the Denver Nuggets on March 23. Because of injuries and, at least partly, tanking, head coach Chauncey Billups rolled out a starting five comprised of only rookies. It's only the second time since at least 1970-71 that's happened in the NBA.
Will any of Portland's starters be back tonight against the Houston Rockets or will the team be the first ever to start five rookies twice?
Is Anfernee Simons playing tonight for the Trail Blazers?
Simons was the last non-rookie to start a game for Portland when he played in the Blazers' loss to the LA Clippers on March 22. He left the game in the third quarter with a knee injury.
The team has been without Jerami Grant for an extended period and has missed Deandre Ayton for the past two games. Matisse Thybulle was out with an ankle injury against the Nuggets.
It appears there's a good chance at least one veteran returns to the starting five tonight as Ayton, Simons and Thybulle are all listed as questionable leading up to game time.
INJURY REPORT 3/25 @ HOU:
— Trail Blazers PR (@TrailBlazersPR) March 24, 2024
OUT
Brogdon (R Elbow Tendinitis)
Sharpe (Lower Abdominal Surgery)
Williams III (R Knee Lig Tear)
DOUBTFUL
Grant (R Hamstring Strain)
QUESTIONABLE
Ayton (L Elbow Tendinitis)
Minaya (Two-Way)
Simons (L Knee Tendinitis)
Thybulle (R Ankle Impingement)
Full injury report for Portland Trail Blazers vs. Houston Rockets
The complete injury report for tonight's game is as follows:
Portland Trail Blazers:
- Out: Robert Williams III (knee surgery); Shaedon Sharpe (core muscle surgery); Malcolm Brogdon (elbow tendonitis)
- Doubtful: Jerami Grant (hamstring)
- Questionable: Anfernee Simons (knee tendonitis); Matisse Thybulle (ankle); Deandre Ayton (elbow tendonitis)
Houston Rockets:
- Out: Steven Adams (knee); Tari Eason (leg); Cam Whitmore (knee); Alperen Sengun (ankle)