The injury bug just won’t leave Portland alone. The Trail Blazers took another hit to their already thin frontcourt this week, announcing that center Duop Reath will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season after undergoing surgery to repair a stress fracture in his right foot.
It’s a tough break-literally and figuratively-for a team that’s leaned on Reath’s steady presence off the bench. The 29-year-old big man had quietly carved out a role as a floor-spacing option and veteran stabilizer behind Portland’s young core.
Imaging on Thursday morning confirmed the fracture, and the Blazers moved quickly to get him into surgery. The procedure was successful, but the timeline for recovery shuts the door on any return this season.
Reath wasn’t putting up eye-popping numbers-2.9 points and 1.2 rebounds across 32 games-but that only tells part of the story. In just eight minutes per night, he gave Portland a reliable option to spell their young centers, especially rookie Donovan Clingan, who’s been turning heads with his recent performances.
Reath’s last outing came back on January 18 in a win over the Kings, where he logged 12 minutes, grabbed a board, and dished out an assist. Nothing flashy, but it’s the kind of under-the-radar contribution that helps a team stay afloat over an 82-game grind.
Now, that safety net is gone. And with Reath sidelined, the pressure ramps up on Clingan and fellow reserve big Yang Hansen to hold down the interior.
Clingan, to his credit, has already shown he can rise to the moment-his recent 20-rebound game was a statement. But depth matters, especially in a Western Conference that’s as unforgiving as ever.
At 23-23, Portland is right in the thick of the play-in mix. Every rotation piece counts, and losing Reath means the Blazers have one fewer card to play as they try to keep pace.
The hope is that Reath will make a full recovery and be ready to go next season. For now, though, Portland’s frontcourt will have to soldier on without the "Great Barrier Reath" anchoring the second unit.
It’s another test for a team that’s already had its resilience pushed.