Joe Freeman
Senior Writer for The Oregonian/OregonLive covering the Portland Trail Blazers and NBA.
- Shaedon Sharpe has a left calf injury and will not return tonight vs. the Grizzlies, per the Blazers.
- Tiago Splitter says Scoot Henderson has been cleared to play tomorrow vs. the Grizzlies and will make his season-debut.
- Vit Krejci has passed his physical and will be in uniform tonight when the Blazers host the Suns.
- Scoot has officially been listed as doubtful for Tuesday night's game vs. the Suns. Deni Avdija (lower back strain) is also doubtful.
- When will Scoot Henderson return? Trail Blazers point guard nears comeback, says ‘I feel amazing’ www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...
- When will Scoot Henderson return? Trail Blazers point guard nears comeback, says ‘I feel amazing’ www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...
- A day of trades, All-Star berths and feel-good returns ends with mixed emotions for the Trail Blazers: www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...
- A pregame update: Deni Avdija (lower back strain) is out.
- Tiago Splitter said he talked to Vit Krejci today: "He's excited about coming here. Great shooter. A guy that doesn't need many inches to shoot the basketball. And I think we are thirsty for a shooter like him ... he's a player that's going to help us a lot."
- Injury notes tonight for the Blazers, according to Tiago Splitter: •Blake Wesley will return tonight vs. the Cavaliers, playing in his first game since Halloween. •Deni Avdija is expected to play. •Scoot Henderson should make his season-debut "very, very soon."
- Trail Blazers’ Deni Avdija earns 1st NBA All-Star selection: www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...
- The Blazers have announced that Duop Reath will miss the rest of the season with a stress fracture in his right foot. The backup center has appeared in 32 games, averaging 2.9 points and 1.2 rebounds, while shooting 42% from 3-point range.
- Two Blazers have been selected to participate in the Rising Stars game during NBA All-Star Weekend. Donovan Clingan (sophomores) and Yang Hansen (G-League) have been chosen for the draft pool of the annual Rookie/Sophomore game. Teams will be picked Tuesday.
- Coach Tiago Splitter says Deni Avdija, Rob Williams III and Duop Reath are out tonight vs. the Raptors. That leaves the Blazers with 10 healthy bodies, including two (Jrue Holiday and Jerami Grant) who are on minute-restrictions.
- From last night: Deni Avdija reinjures back, Trail Blazers beat Heat to improve to NBA-best 9-2 in January » www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...
- Blazers coach Tiago Splitter said it was his decision to pull Deni Avdija from the game. His back stiffened up and Splitter decided to use caution. "I think he'll be fine," Splitter said, adding that he expects Deni to play Friday vs. the Raptors.
- Deni Avdija (back) has left the game - and is not on the Blazers' bench - and the team say he will not return vs. the Heat.
- Trail Blazers injuries: Deni Avdija upgraded, Jerami Grant and Jrue Holiday downgraded, vs. Kings » www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...
- “It feels like we’re starting to be the team that everyone thought we were going to be …” www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...
- From last night: Jerami Grant returns, Trail Blazers beat Hawks: www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026... »
- Pregame update: Grant will return tonight under a minute-restriction.
- Afternoon update: Avdija is out and Grant is probable vs. Hawks.
- The Blazers have upgraded the injury status of Deni Avdija and Jerami Grant ahead of tonight's game vs. the Hawks: www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...
- After opening the season looking to "Make 'Em Uncomfortable," it is the Trail Blazers who have had to cope with being uncomfortable: www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...
- The Blazers have upgraded the injury status of Deni Avdija and Jerami Grant ahead of tonight's game vs. the Hawks: www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...
- Trail Blazers at midseason: Resilience defines 1st half of adversity, chaos, clutch games » www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...
- Deni Avdija (lower back soreness) will not play when the Blazers visit the Warriors on Tuesday night. Evaluation of his ailment is ongoing: www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...
- Deni Avdija has been ruled out of the Blazers' Tuesday game at the Golden State Warriors with lower back soreness and evaluation of his injury is ongoing. It will be the first game Avdija has missed this season.
- There were pain-free smiles in one corner of the Blazers locker room Sunday night … and agonizing winces in another corner. Such is the 2025-26 Blazers season. “It just kind of sucks. One person comes back, another person gets hurt.” www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...
- Deni Avdija exits Trail Blazers’ loss to Knicks with injury, spoiling Jrue Holiday’s return: www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...
- Deni Avdija said his immediate status was uncertain, but he described the injury as "nothing major." "I'm not really concerned," Avdija said. "I'm a tough guy. I'm going to be all right. ... I’m telling you, as soon as I'm walking on two feet, I'll be able to play."
- Avdija suffered the injury after snaring a defensive rebound and immediately left the court. "I just felt my back give up on me and I couldn't straighten up."
- Deni Avdija, who departed Sunday's game vs. the Knicks with 1:53 left after tweaking his low back, sported a wrap around his body and was in obvious pain in the postgame locker room.
- Tiago Splitter says Holiday will return today on a minutes restriction.
- A notable development on the Trail Blazer' injury report: Jrue Holiday has been upgraded to probable for today's game vs. the New York Knicks. The starting point guard has not played since Nov. 14 — a span of 27 games — because of a right calf strain.
- From last night ... Deni Avdija ‘laughs’ off ‘zebra’ criticism, Trail Blazers beat Rockets for 5th straight win. “It’s definitely fun to win a team two nights in a row after all the excuses in the locker room, all the zebra stuff." www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...
- "... I'm going straight through them. And I'm not playing for those fouls, but I'm going to get fouled. This is part of the game. I can't control it. I'm very aggressive. I initiate the contact and that's my game. If it's hard to stop, you’ve got to own it or do something else."
- I asked Deni Avdija for his reaction to Tari Eason's "zebra" comment. His response: "That made me laugh, for real. Let's address it. I drive the most in the league. I'm very physical. I'm not shying away from contact. I'm going downhill. And I don't care who's in front of me ..." (continued)
- Deni Avdija on the Blazers' Friday night over Houston: "It's definitely fun to win a team two nights in a row, after all the excuses in the locker room, all the zebra stuff. ... Even if I lose, I just own it. You know what I'm saying? It's a part of the game. But I'm happy."
- From last night: A missing tooth, ‘MVP’ chants and another frenetic finish lead to wild Trail Blazers' win over the Rockets » www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...
- Deni Avdija has been named the Western Conference Player of the Week. He averaged 26.8 points, 9.8 assists and 8.3 rebounds over four games, while leading the Blazers to a 3-1 record.
- Begging, praying and ... growth (?) for the Trail Blazers? www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2025...
- Anfernee Simons returns to Portland for ‘weird’ reunion with old Trail Blazers teammates: "It was fun embracing the moment and embracing the love … knowing that you made some type of impact here.” www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2025...
- How about a little holiday cheer amid another Trail Blazers loss, courtesy of injured point guard Blake Wesley? Blazers player treats homeless man to Christmas Eve meal in random act of kindness: www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2025...
- Trail Blazers turn Fred Meyer into playground of joy for families struggling during holidays: www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2025...
- When Tiago Splitter was looking for a way to inspire the Blazers to play better defense, he decided to think “outside of the box.” www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2025...
- The Blazers are working on their (lack of) communication: www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2025...
- Donovan Clingan (left leg bruise) and Robert Williams III (illness) have been ruled out vs. the Grizzlies. Rookie center Yang Hansen will his first career start for the Blazers.
- Donovan Clingan (illness) has been ruled out for the Blazers’ game vs. the Thunder this afternoon. Splitter did not divulge who will start in his absence.
