The Portland Trail Blazers will face the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday evening at State Farm Arena in Georgia without All-Star forward Deni Avdija, who has missed three consecutive games due to a low back injury. The team recently came off a 109-93 defeat against the Charlotte Hornets in North Carolina, with Avdija still sidelined as Portland manages several key absences.
Before the game, the Trail Blazers’ injury report confirmed Avdija’s continued absence from the lineup, listing him as out for the contest alongside others tackling injuries. Damian Lillard remains sidelined with a left Achilles tendon issue, Caleb Love is inactive under a G League two-way contract, Shaedon Sharpe is recovering from a left fibula stress reaction, and Robert Williams III is dealing with left knee injury management. Sidy Cissoko and Yang Hansen were marked questionable due to illness and mid-back soreness, respectively.
With these setbacks, the Trail Blazers are navigating a challenging period as they head into this crucial stretch of their season.
Avdija’s Breakthrough Season for Portland
Deni Avdija has emerged as a leading performer this NBA season, averaging an impressive 24.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game while shooting 46.3% from the field and 34.1% from beyond the arc in 48 appearances. Drafted ninth overall in the 2020 NBA Draft from Israel, Avdija spent his first four years in the league with the Washington Wizards before joining Portland.
His transition into the Trail Blazers’ roster has been remarkable, with performance milestones gaining attention. On February 10, Real App highlighted that Avdija matched LaMarcus Aldridge for the fourth-highest number of games in Portland history with at least 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists. These achievements underline his growing importance to the team’s competitiveness this season.
Portland Trail Blazers’ Current Season Situation
The Trail Blazers currently hold the ninth seed in the highly competitive Western Conference, standing with a 29-32 record over 61 games. They have won six of their last ten outings and hold a 13-17 record in road games. Tiago Splitter, serving as acting head coach, is leading the team through this patch with several key players sidelined. Following their match against the Hawks, Portland is scheduled to face the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night as they continue the season’s demanding schedule.
Portland’s ongoing struggles with injuries could impact their postseason positioning, making every game increasingly critical as they try to secure a playoff spot. The Hawks, their upcoming opponents, are closely ranked in the Eastern Conference standings, currently sitting as the tenth seed with a 30-31 record over the same number of games.
Avdija’s Historic Performance Milestones
Deni Avdija has recently joined an elite group of small forwards in NBA history following a standout statistical performance. According to a December 1 report from @SleeperBlazers, Avdija became one of only five small forwards to record a single game featuring 30 or more points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists. The company he joins includes NBA legends LeBron James, Elgin Baylor, Jimmy Butler, and Billy Cunningham. This feat highlights Avdija’s potential as a future All-Star and Most Improved Player candidate.
Implications of Avdija’s Absence and Season Outlook
Avdija’s injury and ongoing absence represent a significant obstacle for Portland in their crucial late-season push. As one of the team’s top performers, his defensive versatility and playmaking skills have contributed to the Trail Blazers’ efforts to stay competitive within the Western Conference race. Without him, the team faces mounting pressure to compensate through bench contributions and tactical adjustments led by Tiago Splitter.
The Trail Blazers’ subsequent matchups, starting with the Hawks, will test their depth and resilience. How the team manages Avdija’s recovery and integrates returning players will likely determine their ability to maintain playoff contention. Meanwhile, the Hawks themselves are hunting for positioning in the East, signaling a tightly contested encounter at State Farm Arena.
INJURY REPORT 3/1 @ ATL:
OUT
Deni Avdija (Low Back Inj Mgmt)
Damian Lillard (L Achilles Tendon)
Caleb Love (G League Two-Way)
Shaedon Sharpe (L Fibula Stress Reaction)
Robert Williams III (L Knee Inj Mgmt)QUESTIONABLE
Sidy Cissoko (Illness)
Yang Hansen (Mid Back Soreness)— Trail Blazers PR (@TrailBlazersPR) March 1, 2026
Deni Avdija ties LaMarcus Aldridge for the 4th most 25/10/5 games in Portland history. pic.twitter.com/pb0FKWF1G2
— Real App (@realapp) February 10, 2026
Last night Deni Avdija became 1 of only 5 small forwards in NBA history to record a single game stat line of:
▪︎ 30+ points
▪︎ 19 rebounds
▪︎ 10 assistsThe others being Lebron James, Elgin Baylor, Jimmy Butler, & Billy Cunningham.
ELITE company for the soon to be… pic.twitter.com/tAKPRarAXN
— SleeperTrailBlazers (@SleeperBlazers) December 1, 2025
