The 2-5 Portland Trail Blazers are heading into what is somehow already their third matchup of the season against the 3-4 New Orleans Pelicans. Besides two blowout losses to the Golden State Warriors and Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland has been playing competitive basketball to start the season.
They split their previous two matchups against New Orleans, losing 105-103 on October 25 from Brandon Ingram's clutch midrange jumper over Anfernee Simons. But the Blazers avenged that loss in their October 27 rematch in a convincing 125-103 win.
Portland matches up well with New Orleans, as the Pelicans' lack of rim protection plays to the Blazers' strength as the tallest starting lineup in the NBA. They could even be adding more size into the rotation in their matchup tonight (November 4).
Robert Williams III's status for tonight's game against the Pelicans
Robert Williams III, who has been dealing with a grade 1 hamstring strain, has been upgraded to probable. Barring a setback, he's expected to make his season debut tonight against the Pelicans.
UPDATE: Williams III is available to play.
This will be his first game in almost a year since suffering his unfortunate season-ending knee injury six games into the 2023-24 season with the Blazers on November 5.
Something to monitor with RW3 is the Blazers' schedule and which games are back-to-backs, as it seems unlikely that he will be available in both of those matchups. Looking ahead at Portland's next five games, they have two back-to-backs coming up on November 7-8 and November 12-13:
- Thursday, Nov. 7 at San Antonio Spurs (5:00 p.m. PT)
- Friday, Nov. 8 at Minnesota Timberwolves (6:00 p.m. PT)
- Sunday, Nov. 10 vs Memphis Grizzlies (6:00 p.m. PT)
- Tuesday, Nov. 12 vs Minnesota Timberwolves (7:00 p.m. PT)
- Wednesday, Nov. 13 vs Minnesota Timberwolves (7:00 p.m. PT)
Blazers injury report
Shaedon Sharpe (shoulder) and Matisse Thybulle (knee) are out.
Zion Williamson's status for tonight's game against the Blazers
Zion Williamson (hamstring) is listed as questionable. Zion missed the first half of a back-to-back in Sunday's game against the Atlanta Hawks.
UPDATE: Williamson is out tonight.
Jordan Hawkins' status for tonight's game against the Blazers
Jordan Hawkins (lower back tightness) is also listed as questionable. Hawkins played through the tightness against the Hawks, but his status in tonight's matchup remains to be seen.
UPDATE: Hawkins is out tonight.
Pelicans injury report
Herbert Jones (shoulder), CJ McCollum (adductor), Dejounte Murray (hand), and Trey Murphy III (hamstring) are out.
How to watch Blazers at Pelicans
The Blazers-Pelicans game will start at 6:30 p.m. PT. It's going to be available to watch via NBA League Pass (blackout restrictions apply), BlazerVision, or for free over the air if you have an antenna.
For fans in Portland who want to tune in over the air, the game is available via the Charge! Station on channel 2.2. Here is the complete list of where to watch over the air for fans in the Pacific Northwest outside of Portland, specifically Medford, Eugene, Yakima/Pasco, and Seattle.