Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija is doubtful to play against the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday as he continues to deal with a back injury, which has now been diagnosed as a lower back strain, the organization announced.
The injury was originally identified as lower back soreness on previous injury reports earlier this week.
Avdija sustained the injury in the final minutes of Portland’s 123-114 loss to the New York Knicks on Sunday. It caused him to miss Portland’s 119-97 loss to the Golden
State Warriors on Tuesday and the team’s 117-101 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday.
Elsewhere on the injury report for Saturday, Blazers guard Jrue Holiday is questionable to play due to right calf injury management. Forward Jerami Grant is also questionable to play due to left Achilles injury management. Both players returned to game action this week on minutes restrictions after Holiday missed extended time due to a right calf strain and Grant missed extended time due to left Achilles tendonitis. It appears the organization is being cautious with their availability this weekend considering their recent returns and the fact the Blazers play on Saturday and against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday.
Blazers rookie Yang Hansen is also questionable to play on Saturday due to his assignment with the G League’s Rip City Remix.
Blazers players Scoot Henderson, Kris Murray, Matisse Thybulle, Blake Wesley and Damian Lillard are all unavailable for Saturday’s game.
Here’s the full injury report:
INJURY REPORT 1/17 vs. LAL (1/2):
OUT
Scoot Henderson (L Hamstring Tear)
Damian Lillard (L Achilles Tendon)
Kris Murray (Lumbar Strain)
Matisse Thybulle (R Knee Tendinopathy)
Blake Wesley (R Foot Fracture)
DOUBTFUL
Deni Avdija (Lower Back Strain)
QUESTIONABLE
Jerami Grant (L Achilles Injury Management)
Jrue Holiday (R Calf Injury Management)
Yang Hansen (G League On Assignment)
While the Blazers could be without Avdija and other key players on Saturday, the Lakers will have to play without starters Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, according to reports. Lakers big men Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes are also questionable to play due to injuries.
The Blazers tip off against the Lakers on Saturday at 7 p.m. Pacific at the Moda Center.
