UPDATE: Deni Avdija and Anfernee Simons have been ruled out for Wednesday’s game.
With just three games remaining in the regular season, the Portland Trail Blazers appear to be prioritizing lottery odds as they err on the side of caution with their key players’ health.
Forward Deni Avdija is questionable to play Wednesday at the Utah Jazz due to a thumb injury, while guard Anfernee Simons is also questionable with a forearm issue.
The 24-year-old Avdija is in the midst of a career-best campaign in his first season with the Trail Blazers. His 16.9 points per game is a career-high, as are his 7.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists. While he missed Sunday’s contest, Avdija’s last three games have been among the most impressive of his career — he’s notched three consecutive double-doubles with at least 26 points and 11 rebounds in each one, including a 32-point, 15-board, 10-assist triple double on April 1.
As for Simons, the 25-year-old hasn’t played since March 30. If he’s able to suit up, his return would inject additional scoring punch into this Trail Blazers lineup. Simons’ 19.3 points per game are the third-best mark of his career. However, it’s certainly possible the team may be extra cautious with him as the season winds down.
If Avdija can’t play, Toumani Camara would see a bump to his role in the offense, while Kris Murray might get the starting nod as he did last game. If Simons doesn’t suit up, watch for Shaedon Sharpe to potentially pop as a DFS value play.
In any case, the opposing Jazz sit at the bottom of the conference standings as one of the clear leaders in the tank-off for Cooper Flagg. They aren’t likely to put up much resistance with Isaiah Collier questionable and Walker Kessler already ruled out, among their other injuries.
The Trail Blazers are 35-44 on the season, good for 12th place in the Western Conference standings.
