The Portland Trail Blazers are gearing up for a showdown against the Phoenix Suns this Sunday night, and all eyes are on Deni Avdija. Listed as questionable due to low back injury management, Avdija's presence on the court is still up in the air. His status will likely be a game-time decision, hinging on how he feels after pre-game warmups.
The Blazers are navigating a string of injuries. Damian Lillard is sidelined, managing a left Achilles tendon issue.
Shaedon Sharpe is out with a left calf strain, and Caleb Love is working on his game in the G League. Yang Hansen joins him there, leaving Portland with a challenging lineup situation.
As of Sunday morning, Phoenix hadn't released their injury report, keeping some mystery in the air.
Avdija has been a revelation this season. Averaging around 25 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.8 assists, he’s become a key player for the Blazers, even snagging Western Conference Player of the Week honors in January. Despite his back issues, he’s delivered multiple 30-point performances, showcasing his resilience and skill.
Portland, sitting at 27-30, is eager to bounce back from a tough 157-103 loss to Denver, a game that set a season high for points scored. Meanwhile, Phoenix, holding a 33-24 record and seventh in the West, is riding high after a narrow victory over Orlando and already has two wins against Portland this season. With both teams dealing with injuries, Avdija's participation could be pivotal at the Mortgage Matchup Center.
As of now, Avdija's status remains uncertain, keeping fans and analysts alike on their toes.