The 12-23 Portland Trail Blazers are set to take on the 7-30 New Orleans Pelicans in a battle between the third-worst and worst teams in the Western Conference record-wise. This is the fourth game of Portland's five-game road trip, while New Orleans heads into the matchup on the second half of a back-to-back.
The Blazers have shown improvement as of late and won three of their last six games. The Pelicans have also played relatively well, winning two of their last three. However, both wins were against the Washington Wizards, who now have the worst record in the association at 6-28. Prior to that, New Orleans had an 11-game losing streak.
Despite the Pelicans' surprisingly poor record as a team that entered the season with playoff aspirations, it will be a competitive matchup. New Orleans' roster is much more talented than their record indicates, as they have been decimated by several injuries all season. The injury bug affects both teams entering the matchup, with a few starters already ruled out.
Blazers injury report vs. Pelicans on Wendesday, Jan. 8
Here is Portland's injury report:
- Donovan Clingan: Out (rest)
- Deni Avdija: Available (right wrist sprain)
- Matisse Thybulle: Out (right ankle sprain)
- Jerami Grant: Out (face contusion)
Update: Avdija is available, but Clingan is out, according to Blazers beat reporter Casey Holdahl.
Matisse Thybulle and Jerami Grant remain out for Portland. Surprisingly, Grant's face contusion has forced him to miss what will now be his fifth consecutive game; it must have been worse than we initially expected.
The Blazers also have two other players listed as questionable on the injury report -- their two key offseason additions, Donovan Clingan and Deni Avdija. Clingan hasn't played his best basketball since returning from his knee sprain, but he would still be a huge boost defensively against a Pelicans team that also has a lot of size on their roster.
Meanwhile, Avdija's importance on this team can't be overstated, as the Blazers look like an entirely different team offensively when he is in terms of their movement and overall aggressiveness. His status is significant, especially since he would start in place of the injured Grant.
New Orleans Pelicans injury report
Here is New Orleans' injury report:
- Dejounte Murray: Available (right elbow soreness, right shin contusion)
- Trey Murphy III: Out (left ankle sprain)
- Zion Williamson: Out (injury maintenance)
- Brandon Ingram: Out (left ankle sprain)
Update: Murray is available to play. He'll start alongside McCollum, Jones, Robinson-Earl, and Missi.
Brandon Ingram remains out after suffering a left ankle sprain on Dec. 7 and is still progressing in his rehab.
New Orleans lost 104-97 to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday. In that game, the Pelicans started Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, Rookie of the Year candidate Yves Missi, and Zion Williamson. That's not a typo -- Zion returned from his hamstring injury.
However, the Pelicans are understandably being patient with his return. In that game, Williamson was on somewhat of a restriction, playing 28 minutes. With the game against Portland being the second half of a back-to-back, Williamson is now ruled out due to injury maintenance.
Tip-off at the Smoothie King Center is scheduled for 5:00 PM PST.