Trail Blazers breakout star forward Deni Avdija won’t play on Tuesday against Golden State. He’s sidelined with lower back soreness, the team’s PR department tweets. Avdija, who is averaging 26.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game, has appeared in all 40 of Portland’s previous games.
Another key Blazers player, forward Jerami Grant, is doubtful due to left Achilles tendonitis.
Here’s more from the Northwest Division:
- Timberwolves star guard Anthony Edwards won’t suit up on Tuesday against Milwaukee due to right foot injury maintenance, the team’s PR department tweets. This will be the eighth game Edwards has missed this season — he’ll be ineligible for postseason awards if he misses 10 more games. Center Rudy Gobert will also miss the game — he’s serving a one-game league suspension for accumulating too many flagrant fouls. Regarding Gobert’s suspension, ESPN’s Bobby Marks notes that the one-game ban will cost Gobert $201,149 (Twitter link). The Wolves will also receive a tax variance credit of $100,575.
- Timberwolves guard Terrence Shannon Jr. is making progress from his left foot abductor hallucis strain but there’s no timetable for his return, according to a team press release. Shannon will miss his 10th straight game this evening. The 2024 first-round pick has appeared in 22 games off the bench this season but has only averaged 4.5 points in 12.8 minutes per game.
- Nuggets guard Christian Braun will miss his second consecutive game due to a left ankle sprain. Braun warmed up to play against Milwaukee on Sunday but didn’t feel right and was ruled out, Harrison Wind of DNVR Sports tweets. It’s a concerning development, considering Braun missed nearly two months of action with an ankle injury before returning earlier this month.
- The Thunder‘s Luguentz Dort is a late scratch for tonight’s key matchup with San Antonio due to left foot soreness, Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman tweets.
I wanted the Bulls to get Shannon Jr. at one point because he plays defense. But I kind of lost interest after the assault case, Fair or not, So I moved on because he is pretty one dimensional and would fill a need. Not sure I would go there now but I wish him best of luck he was really good with the Illini.
So you lost interest after he was found not guilty?
No I’m glad he wasn’t guilty. I just thought he was a borderline NBA player at best but he hustled and plays defense. Like I knew Ayo was going to be good as soon as he found a way to make his shot better and he did. I just thought Shannon getting himself into a situation like that showed a lack of common sense at best and at worst……Who knows? I just thought the less drama the better.
Deni has MIP locked down lols. His name is already on the trophy. Will be first Israeli born player. To win a major NBA award. For all the Haters out tgere who think players are done at 22. Deni is 25 and last yr was first solid year. He has surpassed expectations. And is still getting better ……….
Ladadadi Ladadada 😱 flashlight.
Not so fast.
Deni started playing like this at the end of last season. He has big competition from the Jazz’s Keyonte George
OK yes KG is competition. But Deni is not even a PG and plays that position better lol. He has more ast and better numbers. KG is coming along. It’s Denis to lose at this point.
Jalen Johnson, Anthony Black, Jalen Duran, Ryan Rollins, Nickiel Alexander-Walker and Dillon Brooks should all be considered along with Advija and George.
Jalen Johnson has the numbers. Didn’t realize they were that good. Still like Deni right now.
I’m not a big fan of Dillon Brooks and it were anybody but him I’d love the story of a defense first guy busting out at 29 to become a two way threat.
His offensive has definitely grown. Good to see that from a vet.
I’ll throw in the honorable mention for Ryan Rollins as well, as he really only looked like a depth bench guy until now. Though I will say for my wizards front office, trading Deni is looking like a big misstep. The franchise is use to making bad decisions but the most recent front office has typically done a good job at getting rid of bad contracts and players that don’t fit. The Deni move netted us Bub Carrington, who is still very young but also going through plenty of growing pains. We definitely lost out on that deal so far.
Yeah, but there’s also a 2029 1st rounder and two second rounders. Deni’s awesome, but the trade return was fine.
I am really impressed with Deni. His handle is tight. His decision making is good and quick. I watched him a few times this year. He looks like the game has slowed down for him. He is control. Is playing big time.