The Portland Trail Blazers are heading into Tuesday’s matchup against the Toronto Raptors with a familiar companion: a lengthy injury report that’s starting to feel like part of the travel roster.
The team confirmed that five players will be sidelined for the game in Toronto - a group that includes some key names. Scoot Henderson is still dealing with a hamstring tear, Jrue Holiday remains out with a calf strain, and Damian Lillard continues to recover from an Achilles tendon issue. Add to that Matisse Thybulle (thumb strain) and Blake Wesley (foot fracture), and Portland’s backcourt depth chart is starting to look more like a rehab report.
And the hits keep coming. Starting center Donovan Clingan is listed as questionable due to illness, which could leave the Blazers even thinner in the paint. If he’s unable to go, Portland will be missing a major presence on both ends of the floor - especially on the glass and in rim protection.
This game tips off at 4:30 PM Pacific, and it’s the front end of a back-to-back for the Blazers, who will face the Cavaliers on Wednesday. With so many rotational pieces unavailable, expect Portland to lean heavily on its younger players and two-way contributors. It’s not ideal, but it’s also not unfamiliar - the Blazers have been navigating this kind of roster turbulence all season.
For a team in the midst of a rebuild, these moments can be double-edged. On one hand, the lack of continuity makes it tough to build rhythm.
On the other, it creates opportunities for emerging talent to take on bigger roles and prove they belong. That’s the silver lining the Blazers will be banking on as they try to stay competitive through this latest stretch of adversity.
Keep an eye on how the coaching staff manages rotations, especially if Clingan is ruled out. With so many veterans sidelined, Portland’s young core will need to carry the load - and gain some valuable reps along the way.