The Portland Trail Blazers are gearing up to face the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night, but they'll be without one of their key players. Deni Avdija, who earned his first All-Star nod this season, won't be suiting up due to low back injury management.
This has been a bit of a recurring theme for Avdija, who has shown flashes of brilliance but has also battled injuries throughout the season. He's managed to play in 48 of the Blazers' 59 games so far, a testament to both his talent and resilience.
Portland, sitting at a 28-31 record, is in the thick of the race for a play-in spot, holding onto ninth place in the Western Conference. Every game counts as they push to secure a postseason berth. On the other side, the Bulls find themselves at 24-35, positioned 12th in the Eastern Conference, and are looking to climb their way up the standings.
Both teams are dealing with their fair share of injuries, with six players from each side listed on the injury report for Thursday's clash. While the absence of Avdija is a blow to the Blazers, it's just another challenge they'll need to navigate as they continue their playoff pursuit. Keep an eye on how Portland adjusts their strategy without their All-Star guard in the lineup.