Portland Trail Blazers News

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Ja Morant • PG • Trail Blazers

Ja Morant's Hamstring Injury Might Not be as Bad as Feared

Portland Trail Blazers guard Ja Morant (hamstring) received an encouraging update from head coach Micah Nori, who said the injury "might not be as extensive as what we thought it was," according to Conor Bergin of Blazer's Edge. Morant was diagnosed with a Grade 2 strain on Oct. 30 and is still scheduled to be re-evaluated four weeks from that date. The 27-year-old averaged 15.8 points, 5.5 assists, and 2.5 rebounds in 25.8 minutes through four games. Until he's back, Jrue Holiday should remain one of Portland's main creators after turning in 17 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds against Denver on Nov. 2.

Yesterday

Vít Krejčí • SF • Trail Blazers

Vit Krejci Suffers Leg Fracture Against Suns

Portland Trail Blazers guard/forward Vit Krejci (leg) suffered a fracture to his lower left leg during Wednesday's 132-119 win over the Phoenix Suns, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. Siegel reported that head coach Micah Nori confirmed the fracture during his postgame press conference. Portland initially called it a left ankle injury after Krejci went down trying to take a charge from Miles Bridges late in the third quarter. The 26-year-old finished with five points, three rebounds, and two assists in 12 minutes. No timetable has been announced, but Krejci appears headed for an extended absence. Sidy Cissoko and Chris Youngblood could pick up a few extra minutes with Portland already missing Ja Morant (hamstring) and Shaedon Sharpe (knee).

4 days ago

Robert Williams III • C • Trail Blazers

Robert Williams III Could Return Saturday

Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III (knee) is questionable for Saturday's game against the Utah Jazz after sitting out Thursday against Memphis for injury management. The 29-year-old is averaging 9.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks in 18.0 minutes through three appearances. Williams also closed Tuesday's win over the Lakers with 14 points and 10 rebounds in 21 minutes. If he sits again, Donovan Clingan should have more room to work inside, while Yang Hansen, Micah Potter, and Branden Carlson could all be candidates for extra reserve minutes.

Oct 31

Ja Morant • PG • Trail Blazers

Ja Morant Set to Miss Four Weeks With Hamstring Strain

The Portland Trail Blazers announced Friday that guard Ja Morant (hamstring) sustained a Grade 2 left-hamstring strain during Thursday's 124-103 loss to his former team, the Memphis Grizzlies. Imaging confirmed the injury, and Morant will be re-evaluated in four weeks. The two-time All-Star has averaged 15.8 points and 5.5 assists in 25.8 minutes per game across four appearances this season. Scoot Henderson and Jrue Holiday should see increased minutes while Morant is sidelined, boosting their fantasy value.

Oct 30

Yang Hansen • C • Trail Blazers

Yang Hansen Available Thursday

Portland Trail Blazers center Yang Hansen is available for Thursday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies after being assigned to the G-League's Rip City Remix on Wednesday. The 21-year-old has appeared once this season, finishing with five points and three rebounds in 12 minutes against Phoenix. Portland also exercised Hansen's 2027-28 team option Thursday, keeping the young center in its long-term plans. Robert Williams III (knee) is out, which could open a few minutes behind Donovan Clingan, though Micah Potter and Branden Carlson give Portland other options. For now, Hansen is still more of a long-term piece than someone with a dependable nightly fantasy role.

Oct 29

Robert Williams III • C • Trail Blazers

Robert Williams III Downgraded to Out Thursday

Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III (knee) has been ruled out of Thursday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies as part of injury management. Williams had played in each of Portland's first three games, averaging 9.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks in 18.0 minutes. Donovan Clingan should have more room to work on the glass with Williams out, while Yang Hansen and Micah Potter could split the reserve minutes at center. Williams' next status will be worth monitoring as Portland continues to manage his knee early in the season.

Oct 29

Robert Williams III • C • Trail Blazers

Robert Williams III Doubtful for Thursday

Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III (knee) is doubtful for Thursday's matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies due to left knee injury management. Williams has appeared in all three of Portland's games this season, averaging 9.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks in 18.0 minutes per contest. His availability has been an ongoing concern, though he played 59 games last season in one of the healthiest campaigns of his career, averaging 17.1 minutes. If Williams sits out Thursday, Yang Hansen could see additional minutes behind Donovan Clingan.

Oct 29

Donovan Clingan • C • Trail Blazers

Donovan Clingan's Option Picked Up Thursday

The Portland Trail Blazers exercised their team option on center Donovan Clingan on Thursday. Portland's starting center since February 2025, Clingan averaged 12.1 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game during the 2025-26 campaign. He also collected a franchise-record 347 offensive rebounds, the NBA's second-highest single-season total over the past five seasons. His secure starting role and strong production in rebounds and blocks make him a reliable fantasy option at center.

Oct 29

Branden Carlson • C • Trail Blazers

Branden Carlson Available for Season Debut on Tuesday

Portland Trail Blazers center Branden Carlson (concussion) is available for Tuesday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers after missing the first two games of the season in concussion protocol. The 27-year-old signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal with Portland this summer after averaging 5.8 points, 3.0 rebounds and 0.6 blocks in 11.6 minutes for Oklahoma City last season. Carlson finished that campaign with back-to-back double-doubles, but minutes could be difficult to find behind Portland's established frontcourt options. He may need an injury or rotation change before becoming relevant for fantasy purposes.

Oct 27

Scoot Henderson • PG • Trail Blazers

Scoot Henderson Good to Go Against Lakers

Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson (ankle) is available for Tuesday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers after dealing with left ankle soreness. The 22-year-old has come off the bench through Portland's first two games, averaging 9.5 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 20.0 minutes while shooting 1-for-9 from three. Henderson averaged 14.2 points and 3.7 assists across 30 appearances last season, but a backcourt featuring Damian Lillard, Ja Morant, and Jrue Holiday leaves little room for a major fantasy role unless injuries open up more minutes.

Oct 27

Micah Potter • PF • Trail Blazers

Micah Potter Available Against Suns

Portland Trail Blazers forward/center Micah Potter (illness) is available for Wednesday's season opener against the Phoenix Suns. He missed the preseason finale while sick. The 28-year-old sits behind Donovan Clingan, Robert Williams III, and Yang Hansen on the center depth chart, so minutes will be hard to find. Potter's best path is his shooting. He hit 42.3 percent of his 3.6 three-point attempts per game with Indiana last season, averaging 9.7 points and 5.0 rebounds in 19.3 minutes. He saw only 10.8 minutes per game this preseason, so fantasy managers can leave him on waivers until injuries thin out Portland's frontcourt.

Oct 21

Deni Avdija • SF • Trail Blazers

Deni Avdija Will Play and Start Against Suns

Portland Trail Blazers guard/forward Deni Avdija (ankle) says he will play and start in Wednesday's season opener against the Phoenix Suns, according to The Athletic's Jason Quick. The 25-year-old had been questionable with right ankle soreness after a strong preseason. Avdija averaged career highs of 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 6.7 assists last season despite shooting 31.8 percent from three. He also dropped 41 points and 12 assists against Phoenix in April's Play-In win. His availability removes a potential spot start for Sidy Cissoko, though sharing creation duties with Ja Morant and Damian Lillard could lower Avdija's usage from last season.

Oct 21

Damian Lillard • PG • Trail Blazers

Damian Lillard Scores 15 Points in Preseason Return

Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard scored 15 points in 19 minutes during Wednesday's 123-118 preseason win over the Golden State Warriors, his first game since tearing his left Achilles in April 2025. The 36-year-old shot 5-for-11 from the field and 3-for-8 from three, with all three triples coming in the first quarter. Lillard started alongside Ja Morant and finished with just one assist, but it's too early to read much into that. Sharing playmaking duties with Morant could trim the 7.1 assists Lillard averaged in 2024-25, while his shooting volume still looks intact.

Oct 8

Ja Morant • PG • Trail Blazers

Ja Morant Could Come Off the Bench for the Blazers

Portland Trail Blazers guard Ja Morant could come off the bench this season, according to team reporter Casey Holdahl, who noted that the Blazers' decision not to let him wear No. 12 went over without much fuss. Head coach Micah Nori told The Athletic that starting Morant alongside Damian Lillard doesn't make sense, and the two-time All-Star said on media day that starting or not is "the same thing" to him. Jrue Holiday would be the likeliest starter in that scenario. A bench role wouldn't necessarily sink Morant's fantasy value. He played only 28.5 minutes per game in Memphis last season, and leading the second unit would keep the ball in his hands away from Lillard. Efficiency is the bigger concern after he shot 41.0 percent from the field and 23.5 percent from three across 20 games in 2025-26.

Oct 3

Damian Lillard • PG • Trail Blazers

Damian Lillard Expects to Start for Portland This Season

Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard said he expects to start alongside point guard Ja Morant this season. Speaking at his media availability on Tuesday, Lillard said, "As far as I know, Ja will start, I will start, and Deni will start ... that's as far as I know." Lillard signed with the Blazers during the 2025 offseason while recovering from a torn Achilles he suffered with the Milwaukee Bucks during that postseason. In his last season, Lillard averaged 24.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 7.1 assists in over 36 minutes per game. With him back and healthy, he joins a crowded backcourt that includes Morant, Scoot Henderson, Jrue Holiday, and Shaedon Sharpe. Lillard will likely see minutes restrictions as he enters his 14th season.

Sep 30

Vít Krejčí • SF • Trail Blazers

Vit Krejci in the Mix for Portland's Backup Wing Spot

Portland Trail Blazers guard/forward Vit Krejci will enter training camp as a contender for the backup wing role, according to Joe Freeman of The Oregonian. The 26-year-old's contract is only partially guaranteed until opening night, adding some stakes to the competition. Krejci shot 42.3 percent from three across 46 games with Atlanta last season before slipping to 7.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 19.2 minutes after joining Portland. Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara remain established ahead of him, but Krejci's shooting and playmaking could earn him a place in the rotation. For fantasy purposes, Krejci needs to rediscover the three-point shooting he showed in Atlanta before he can become a reliable option.

Sep 20

Deni Avdija • SF • Trail Blazers

Deni Avdija Misses FIBA Qualifiers at Blazers' Request

Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija said in a social media post that the team did not clear him for Israel's August FIBA World Cup qualifying window. According to Aris Barkas of Eurohoops, Avdija called it a complex back injury, and earlier reporting traced it to a January rebound attempt. The first-time All-Star still finished 2025-26 with 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game, but the lingering back concern is worth tracking before camp. Ja Morant and Damian Lillard add more on-ball competition in Portland, so Avdija's fantasy ceiling may hinge on health and how much creation he keeps under Micah Nori.

Sep 1

Yang Hansen • C • Trail Blazers

Yang Hansen Leads China Past Qatar with 15 Points

Portland Trail Blazers center Yang Hansen posted a game-high 15 points, nine rebounds, one assist, and two blocks in China's 83-57 win over Qatar on Thursday in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers Second Round. The 21-year-old shot 7-for-11 from the field and 1-for-2 from three in 20 minutes at Al Janoub Stadium in Doha. It tracks with the flashes Portland saw in Las Vegas last month, when Hansen had 12 points, nine rebounds, and four assists against Phoenix. The international production is encouraging, but it does not move him up Portland's depth chart. Donovan Clingan sits atop the center mix, and Robert Williams III re-signed on a three-year deal to remain a key reserve. Hansen averaged only 2.2 points and 1.5 rebounds in 7.0 minutes across 43 games as a rookie, so he stays off fantasy radars unless injuries open a clearer path.

Aug 28

Shaedon Sharpe • SG • Trail Blazers

Shaedon Sharpe Suffers Torn Meniscus

According to Shams Charania, Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (knee) has suffered a torn meniscus and will be sidelined for the next six months. This is unfortunate news for the Blazers, considering Sharpe was likely going to play a significant role this upcoming season. Now, Sharpe isn't expected back until around the All-Star break. The loss of Sharpe means that Ja Morant, Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday, and Scoot Henderson will all see an uptick in playing time. It's unclear how the Blazers plan to split up the minutes, but this is a situation fantasy managers should continue to watch. Henderson and Morant might end up benefiting the most out of everyone.

Aug 24

Jrue Holiday • PG • Trail Blazers

Jrue Holiday Expected to Remain with Trail Blazers

Portland Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday was rumored to be possibly leaving the organization this summer. According to Jake Fischer, the Blazers have no plans to buy out Holiday from his contract. There was speculation that Holiday would head to the Philadelphia 76ers, assuming he was able to secure a buyout from Portland. That won't happen, as the Blazers intend to keep Holiday around despite having a boatload of guards. This past season, Holiday averaged 16.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 6.1 assists across 29.4 minutes per game in 53 games. It could be more difficult for Holiday to secure consistent playing time this upcoming season. The Blazers acquired Ja Morant earlier this offseason, and Damian Lillard is fully healthy again. Portland also has Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe, so Portland has too many mouths to feed. The aging veterans, such as Holiday and Lillard, are likely to see a reduction in playing time this upcoming season.

Aug 4

Portland Trail Blazers News

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