Portland will travel to Los Angeles on Saturday afternoon for the final away game of a season marked by a succession of dismal performances.
The latest Injury Report for the Blazers and the Clippers for Saturday’ game
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
After missing the playoffs, Portland (33-47) has deployed a young bunch in recent weeks, starting a quartet of John Butler, Jeenathan Williams, Drew Eubanks, Skylar Mays, and Trendon Watford in a 129-127 loss to San Antonio on Thursday.
Kevin Knox recorded a season-high 24 points off the bench, while Eubanks had 23 points.
In Lillard’s absence, Portland used Mays (11 points) and Shaquille Harrison as point guards (10 points and nine assists off the bench).
Anfernee Simons has been out of the Blazers lineup since March 19. (a 21.1-point-per-game scorer). His most recent appearance was a 16-point performance against the Clippers in Portland’s defeat.
Los Angeles can complete the season sweep with a win in Saturday’s matinée.
In addition to the victory on March 19, the Clippers triumphed 118-112 on Nov. 29 behind Powell’s season-high 32 points.
The Clippers conclude their regular season on Sunday with a trip to Phoenix, which might serve as a preview of their first-round playoff series. The Suns clinched the fourth place earlier this week.
Let’s start with the Portland Trail Blazers’ injury report for Saturday’s game.
- Matisse Thybulle (Knee): Expected to be out until at least Apr 9
- Nassir Little (Ankle): Expected to be out until at least Apr 9
- Drew Eubanks (Ankle): Game Time Decision
- Anfernee Simons (Foot): Expected to be out until at least Apr 9
- Trendon Watford (Ankle): Game Time Decision
- Jusuf Nurkic (Knee): Expected to be out until at least Apr 9
- Jerami Grant (Quadriceps): Expected to be out until at least Apr 9
- Cam Reddish (Back): Game Time Decision
- Keon Johnson (Finger): Expected to be out until at least Aug 1
- Damian Lillard (Calf): Out for the season
- Justise Winslow (Ankle): Out for the season
- Ibou Badji (Knee): Expected to be out until at least Aug 1
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LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
On Saturday, the Los Angeles Clippers take on the Portland Trail Blazers in an attempt to secure a spot in the NBA playoffs.
Los Angeles (42-38) may still finish fifth if they win their last two games, including Sunday’s game against Phoenix, but they can also finish ninth.
In their most recent game, the Clippers defeated the Lakers 125-118 to snap a two-game losing streak.
Los Angeles has been missing Paul George and his team-leading 23.8-point average since March 23 due to a right knee injury.
Kawhi Leonard led the way with 25 points, Ivica Zubac added 17 points and 13 rebounds, and Norman Powell added 27 points off the bench.
This moved them ahead of the Lakers and Pelicans in their quest to finish in the top six and avoid the play-in playoffs.
Leonard, the Clippers’ second-leading scorer (23.7 points per game), had 40 points and eight rebounds in last week’s loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.
He had 24 points in Los Angeles’ last visit to Portland, a 117-102 Clippers victory on March 19.
How about Paul George if Kawhi Leonards is still available for tonight’s game versus the Blazers?
George’s injury will almost certainly keep him out for the remainder of the season, so fantasy managers may safely drop him.
He might return for a postseason push with the Clippers now positioned fifth in the Western Conference. Eric Gordon, Terance Mann, and Nicolas Batum are all candidates for expanded roles, with Norman Powell (shoulder) also ruled out.
Let’s start with the Clippers’ injury report for Saturday’s game.
- Marcus Morris (Back): Expected to be out until at least Apr 9
- Paul George (Knee): Expected to be out until at least Apr 9
