The Portland Trail Blazers face uncertainty regarding two of their starters before their Saturday morning contest against the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center. All-Star forward Deni Avdija has been designated as doubtful, while center Donovan Clingan is listed as questionable for the 10 a.m. tipoff.
Avdija has been sidelined for 12 of the past 20 games due to a persistent lower back strain and related management issues. He last attempted to play in Sunday’s victory over the Phoenix Suns but lasted under a minute before the injury forced him out. Since then, he has missed the last two Blazers games.
Background on Avdija’s Ongoing Injury Challenges
Avdija initially sustained the back injury on January 11 during a home loss to the New York Knicks at the Moda Center. He has struggled to stay healthy, failing to appear in more than two consecutive games throughout this stretch, creating difficulties for the interim head coach Tiago Splitter and the coaching staff as they try to maintain lineup consistency.
We’ve got to figure out this,
Splitter said earlier this week.
We cannot be in and out, in and out, in and out every two, three games. So it’s something to sit down with doctors and (get) second, third, fourth, fifth opinions and go from there. To be honest, I don’t want to be in and out every night.
– Tiago Splitter, acting head coach
Splitter described Avdija’s condition as being monitored on a day-to-day basis.
Donovan Clingan’s Status and Team Resilience
Center Donovan Clingan was a late scratch from Thursday’s game in Chicago due to illness, marking only the fourth missed game for the second-year player this season. Despite missing Avdija, Clingan, and shooting guard Shaedon Sharpe—who remains sidelined with a fibula injury—the Blazers secured a 122-112 victory over the Bulls, overcoming their key absences.
Performance Contributions and Impact of Missing Starters
Both Avdija and Clingan recently participated in All-Star Weekend events, highlighting their importance. Avdija earned his first All-Star game selection this season and holds averages of 24.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 6.6 assists. His contributions have been pivotal in transforming Portland from a lottery team into a contender for the play-in tournament.
Similarly, Clingan is enjoying a breakout sophomore season, averaging 11.9 points and 11.5 rebounds while showcasing his skills in the Rising Stars challenge at All-Star Weekend.
Outlook for Upcoming Games Without Key Players
Looking ahead, the Blazers face a challenging stretch if Avdija and Clingan remain sidelined. Their absence could hinder Portland’s ability to maintain momentum as they continue a five-game, nine-day road trip. The team’s potential performance against the Charlotte Hornets will notably depend on the recovery progress of these vital starters and the coaching staff’s adjustments.
