The Portland Trail Blazers and Denver Nuggets are two of the hottest teams in the league heading into their Monday, February 10 matchup. Portland has miraculously won 10 of their last 12 games, while Denver has an active six-game winning streak they are looking to extend.
Tip-off at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, is scheduled for 6:00 PM PST.
Portland Trail Blazers injury report
Here is Portland's injury report:
- Jerami Grant: OUT (R Knee Soreness)
- Kris Murray: OUT (L Quad Contusion)
- Robert Williams III: OUT (R Knee Soreness)
- Sidy Cissoko: OUT (Two-Way)
- Justin Minaya: OUT (Two-Way)
- Matisse Thybulle: OUT (R Ankle Sprain)
Update: Scoot Henderson will start in place of Jerami Grant.
It's surprising that Deni Avdija isn't on the injury report. He's been listed as questionable in previous matchups due to a sprained right hand. That has to have been playing a role in Avdija's recent cold stretch, as he's scored under ten points in the past three games.
Hopefully, this is an indication that he's recovered. Avdija is a versatile two-way player who can still contribute without scoring, but he takes the Blazers to another level when he's shooting the ball well.
Robert Williams III exited the second half against the game in Minnesota due to a knee injury. But the good news is that Sean Highkin of Rose Garden Report notes that Portland made a precautionary decision to keep RW3 out.
Early word is that Robert Williams III's absence from the second half with a knee injury is more precautionary than anything. Chauncey Billups didn't think it was anything serious and Williams was walking fine afterwards.
— Sean Highkin (@highkin) February 9, 2025
The fact that Williams is listed as questionable instead of immediately being ruled out is also an encouraging sign that this is more of a short-term injury.
Matisse Thybulle's injury remains an enigma. He suffered a grade 2 right ankle sprain one month ago and was given a re-evaluation estimate of two weeks, yet he remains out with no clear timeline for return.
Denver Nuggets injury report
Here is Denver's injury report:
- Vlatko Čančar: OUT (Left Knee Surgery Rehabilitation)
- Aaron Gordon: AVAILABLE (Right Calf Injury Management)
- DaRon Holmes II: OUT (Right Achilles Tendon)
- Jamal Murray: AVAILABLE (Left Knee Inflammation)
- Michael Porter Jr.: OUT (Left Hamstring Tightness)
- Peyton Watson: OUT (Right Knee Sprain)
- Russell Westbrook: OUT (Left Hamstring Strain)
The Nuggets have an extensive injury report with seven players popping up, including some of their most significant players not named Nikola Jokic.
One name to keep an eye on is Michael Porter Jr., currently listed as questionable. The Nuggets are at their best when they utilize Jokic's elite passing by, surrounding him with shooters to space the floor. Missing MPJ would be a huge loss for that department.
Blazers' next five regular season games
The Blazers continue their difficult schedule with another game in Denver, then take on Luka Doncic and the new-look Los Angeles Lakers back home at the Moda Center. The schedule lightens up after that, with games against Charlotte, Utah, and Washington.
Here are the Blazers' next five games:
- Wednesday, February 12 at Denver Nuggets (6:00 PM PST)
- Thursday, February 20 vs Los Angeles Lakers (7:00 PM PST)
- Saturday, February 22 vs Charlotte Hornets (7:00 PM PST)
- Monday, February 24 at Utah Jazz (6:00 PM PST)
- Wednesday, February 26 at Washington Wizards (4:00 PM PST)