The NBA all-star break doesn't cut the regular season in half; oddly enough, it's two-thirds of the way through. Even though there's no playoff spot to push for this season, this final third is important for the Portland Trail Blazers. It's an opportunity for the young players to get as many minutes as possible (while racking up as many losses as possible).
There could be some "knee soreness" or "back soreness" designations popping up for vets like Malcolm Brogdon and Jerami Grant, which would open up more playing time for Scoot Henderson, Kris Murray, Jabari Walker and others.
The stretch run begins with three straight home games, the first coming tonight against the Denver Nuggets. Who's in and who's out for Portland?
Is Scoot Henderson playing tonight for the Trail Blazers?
Unfortunately, it's a lengthy injury list as Portland hosts the Nuggets, and even more unfortunately, that list includes a pair of young guys who need to be on the floor as much as possible - including Henderson. Rayan Rupert is also out.
It's poor timing for Scoot as head coach Chauncey Billups handed him the starting point guard job just before the all-star break.
Full injury report for Portland Trail Blazers vs. Denver Nuggets
The complete injury list for tonight's game is as follows:
Portland Trail Blazers:
- Out: Scoot Henderson (adductor strain); Rayan Rupert (ankle sprain); Malcolm Brogdon (elbow tendinitis); Robert Williams III (knee surgery); Moses Brown (wrist surgery); Shaedon Sharpe (abdominal surgery)
- Questionable: Jabari Walker (ankle sprain)
Denver Nuggets:
- Out: Vlatko Cancar (knee surgery)
- Probable: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (finger); Peyton Watson (knee contusion)