Deni Avdija, the Portland Trail Blazers‘ first-time NBA All-Star, will miss his fifth consecutive game due to a back injury, sidelining him for Portland’s upcoming road contest against the Memphis Grizzlies. The Blazers initially listed him as questionable but recently downgraded Avdija to out for the cross-conference matchup, complicating Portland’s efforts with only 20 games remaining this season as they seek a play-in tournament berth.
Back Injury Continues to Hamper Avdija’s Availability
Going into the All-Star break, Avdija was already dealing with a back issue but managed to participate in the All-Star Game and the Blazers’ first game afterward. His return was short-lived, as he reinjured his back barely a minute into the following contest. Since then, Avdija has participated in only three of Portland’s last twelve games, including a one-minute appearance against the Phoenix Suns, adding to earlier short absences in January.
The Blazers, in tenth place in the Western Conference with a 29-33 record, hold a slim five-game lead over the 11th-place Grizzlies. A victory in Memphis would solidify their position for the play-in tournament, but missing their star player increases the challenge, even though Memphis itself is dealing with significant injuries.
Memphis will be without key contributors Ja Morant, Zach Edey, and Ty Jerome, among seven others ruled out. While the Blazers face their own injuries, this matchup appears crucial for Portland’s postseason hopes.
Avdija’s Contributions and the Toll of His Absences
This season, Avdija is averaging an impressive 24.4 points, 7 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game, with shooting percentages of 46.3% from the field and 34.1% from beyond the arc. In his sixth NBA season, he has greatly elevated his game, positioning himself as a leading candidate for the Most Improved Player award.
However, ongoing injury struggles have limited his ability to maintain this dominant form. The Blazers are now faced with balancing his back injury management against the need for his consistent presence on the floor, possibly requiring minute restrictions when he does return.
Fans and analysts alike have wondered how Avdija’s performance might look with a fully healthy Portland roster, including star guard Damian Lillard, but that scenario must wait for another season. For now, the priority is restoring Avdija’s health to contribute in the critical stretch ahead, with hopes the team can compete effectively in the play-in tournament and beyond.
Upcoming Game Details and Implications
The Blazers are set to tip off against the injury-depleted Grizzlies at 5:00 p.m. PT in Memphis. This game holds significant weight for Portland as they try to secure their postseason standing without their star player.
“DENI AVDIJA ICES THE WIN WITH HUSTLE ð¤DIVES FOR THE LOOSE BALL AFTER PORTLAND GETS THE STOP! pic.twitter.com/VbvZYHshI3” — NBA
DENI AVDIJA ICES THE WIN WITH HUSTLE 😤
DIVES FOR THE LOOSE BALL AFTER PORTLAND GETS THE STOP! pic.twitter.com/VbvZYHshI3
— NBA (@NBA) January 10, 2026
