Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija has been upgraded to questionable for Sunday’s game in Sacramento, the team announced (Twitter link). As Sean Highkin of The Rose Garden Report observes (via Twitter), the upgraded status is a good sign for Avdija potentially returning after missing three games with a lower back strain.
Avdija is having an excellent season for Portland, averaging 26.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 6.9 assists on .468/.355/.801 shooting in 40 appearances (35.4 minutes per game). The 25-year-old suffered the back injury last Sunday against New York.
Jrue Holiday, Jerami Grant and Robert Williams are all doubtful to suit up on the second night of a back-to-back. Holiday and Grant recently returned from lengthy injury absences, while Williams has battled knee issues for years.
Here’s more on the Trail Blazers:
- Portland has dealt with a series of injuries in 2025/26, but improved to 21-22 with a 16-point victory over the Lakers on Saturday. According to Joe Freeman of The Oregonian, the team feels as though it’s rounding into form. “It feels like we’re starting to be the team that everyone thought we were going to be at the beginning of the year,” center Donovan Clingan said, flashing a wide smile. “Hopefully, once we get everyone healthy, we’re going to make a big jump and we’re going to start winning a lot of games. This is just the start of it and it feels really good.”
- Two-way players Caleb Love and Sidy Cissoko have emerged as viable members of the rotation in the wake of the injuries. Love, who went undrafted out of Arizona in 2025, recorded 22 points and seven assists in yesterday’s win and has now scored 10-plus points in 14 straight games, per the Blazers (Twitter link). The 24-year-old guard has also made multiple three-pointers in 14 consecutive games, tied for the second-longest streak by a rookie in league history.
- As Highkin recently noted, Love and Cissoko are nearing their active-game limits and both players have made cases to be converted to standard deals. If and when those conversions occur, Highkin believes the Blazers should promote Rip City Remix standout Blake Hinson to a two-way contract. The 6’8″ forward has played 21 games (32.6 MPG) with Portland’s G League affiliate in ’25/26, averaging 24.4 PPG, 4.5 RPG and 2.4 APG on .491/.388/.717 shooting.
Blazers aren’t going anywhere this yr. They should concentrate on next year. Their pick is lottery protected from Bulls top 14. Play the young guys and get them ready for next year. Trade Jrue to the Rockets. They can acquire another pick and save money.
JVV, Holiday, 2027 #1 pick, 2026 n 2027 2nd rd pick,
Rockets should go after Jrue.
Blazer made it to .500 with the win last night at 22-22, while playing an absurdly tough schedule (28 out of their 44 games were vs teams with winning records – the most in the league, and they won 12 of those 28).
The Blazers (only 4.5 games out of 6th) think they’re a playoff team this season, and the Rockets don’t think they need Jrue.
And 4.5 out of 12 seed. They won’t finish top 8. So whats the point. What would you ratger a 14 pick or a 10 pick ……
Jrue can win a title for Rockets maybe two. Rockets know better than me they need a PG. You think they got KD to be a playoff team ????
Honestly the Rockets might not know better than you though
Come on Luke , they got KD and he is running out of time. It’s 3yrs or bust for Rockets lol. Can’t blow this yr
I agree bro. I’m just saying they might think they are all good
Blazers need Markannen or Vucci Mane to play the 4 spot