Multiple Blazers Stars Could Miss Nets Face-Off

Portland could be without several key pieces in a critical tank-off with Brooklyn.
Dec 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers (from left to right) Anfernee Simons (1), Shaedon Sharpe (17), Duop Reath (26), Jerami Grant (9), and Deni Avdija (8) walk back to the court after a timeout during the first half against the Utah Jazz at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-Imagn Images
Dec 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers (from left to right) Anfernee Simons (1), Shaedon Sharpe (17), Duop Reath (26), Jerami Grant (9), and Deni Avdija (8) walk back to the court after a timeout during the first half against the Utah Jazz at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-Imagn Images / Soobum Im-Imagn Images

The 13-25 Portland Trail Blazers could be without several key pieces in a critical tank-off against another rebuilding squad with a similar record, the 13-26 Brooklyn Nets.

Per the NBA's most recent injury report, only two players have officially been ruled out for the Tuesday meeting, as of this writing: 3-and-D starting power forward Jerami Grant and two-time All-Defensive shooting guard/small forward Matisse Thybulle.

Grant will miss his seventh consecutive contest as he continues to grapple with a face contusion. If they were actually trying to win this season, the Trail Blazers wouldl miss his clutch bucket-getting.

Thybulle, meanwhile, has yet to make his season debut as he grapples with a sprained right ankle.

More Trail Blazers: Portland's Matisse Thybulle Suffers Major Injury Setback, Season Debut Postponed

Both Grant and Thybulle are intriguing veterans who theoretically should have major trade value for rival clubs, with this year's February 6 trade deadline approaching.

Critically, three other key Portland contributors could miss the bout.

More Trail Blazers: Portland Head Coach Chauncey Billups Calls Out Mavericks Cheap Shot in Late Game Defeat

Forward Deni Avdija, who's been starting in the stead of Grant, is questionable due to a sprained right ankle. Wing Dalano Banton and center Robert Williams III are both questionable with illnesses.

Trail Blazers two-way players Bryce McGowens, Justin Minaya, and Taze Moore are all listed as questionable, meaning Portland is hedging about whether or not to use them with the club's G League affiliate, the Rip City Remix.

For Portland, all these accruing potential injuries are critical. The Trail Blazers want to be bad this year, and securing a win against the team in the league with the closest record would be antithetical to its mission plan. Giving Brooklyn a victory, meanwhile, would serve Portland while also hurting a direct opponent for lottery luck.

Portland has the seventh-worst record in the NBA this year, and thus the seventh-best odds for the top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. The Trail Blazers, who've looked more competent with Avdija starting than they did with a reeling Grant, need more losses, and soon.

The game is slated to tip off at 7 p.m. PT on Tuesday at the Moda Center, following Portland's 2-3 road trip run.

More Trail Blazers:

Where Do Trail Blazers Land in New NBA Power Rankings?

Current Trail Blazers Season Trajectory Sets Them Up for Massive Failure Down the Line

For more Portland Trail Blazers news and notes, stay glued to Trail Blazers On SI.


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Alex Kirschenbaum
ALEX KIRSCHENBAUM

Clyde, Rick Barry, and Pistol Pete Now these players, could never be beat.