Trail Blazers Injury Report: 5 Portland Players Out Vs Heat

It's as if they're TRYING to lose. Oh, wait.

Your ailing 15-41 Portland Trail Blazers will be missing at least five players when they suit up for a Rose Garden showdown against the 32-25 Miami Heat.

Per the NBA's most recent injury report, guards Malcolm Brogdon (right elbow tendinitis), Scoot Henderson (left adductor strain), and Shaedon Sharpe (lower abdominal surgery) all remain absent. 

6'9" center Robert Williams III of course is out following that right knee ligament tear. The Time Lord has played in just six games for his new team this season. Another reserve center, 7'2" UCLA product Moses Brown, has also been ruled out with his left wrist fracture. That's it for the confirmed absences tonight. Two-way players Ibou Badji and Justin Minaya are both considered questionable to join Portland proper.

The Heat, who have yet to submit their injury report, will no doubt be missing some bodies too, as this iteration of Miami generally seems to treat NBA regular seasons with a level of disdain that approaches total apathy, at least until after the All-Star break. 

Sean Highkin of The Rose Garden Report reveals, in some positive news at last, that 19-year-old rookie guard Rayan Rupert has seen his status improved to probable as he works his way back from a sprained right ankle, incurred prior to the All-Star break.