There’s only a three-game slate in the NBA on the eve of the All-Star break, but that doesn’t mean the league’s injury report takes a break. In fact, it might be a more stacked IR than usual with four of the six teams on a back-to-back.
One of the squads that played on Wednesday was the Trail Blazers, who dropped a lopsided 133-109 decision to the Timberwolves. On Thursday, Portland has listed Deni Avdija as questionable due to injury management, while Shaedon Sharpe has been ruled out with a calf issue.
Avdija is a deserving first-time All-Star, yet I’m sure even he would admit that his performance in last night’s loss was underwhelming. Avdija shot just 3-for-14 from the field versus Minnesota, finishing the contest with only 11 points and five rebounds. The Blazers also were outscored by 32 points in Avdija’s 26.9 minutes of action.
Portland has not often played without both Avdija and Sharpe in 2025-26, so if the former eventually gets ruled out, it would create a massive void in the team’s rotation. Scoot Henderson owns a team-high 32.8% usage with the duo off the floor this season, but that’s in an extremely limited sample, and Henderson’s minutes are currently being monitored. Jrue Holiday is second with a 29.6% usage. He and Jerami Grant would likely be asked to shoulder the heaviest loads in an amazing matchup with the actively-tanking Jazz.
The Trail Blazers are currently 8.5-point road favorites on the DraftKings Sportsbook.
