Joe Freeman

After week in the sun, Trail Blazers ready to get ‘back to work’ amid playoff push The play-in tournament is a virtual lock for a team that hasn’t reached the postseason since 2021, when it suffered a first-round loss to the Denver Nuggets, and the Blazers are eyeing more.

After week in the sun, Trail Blazers ready to get ‘back to work’ amid playoff push:

www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...

The Blazers have converted Sidy Cissoko's two-way contract into a standard deal that will run through the 2026-27 season.

To make room for Cissoko on the 15-man regular roster, the team has waived Rayan Rupert.

A couple injury updates for the Trail Blazers:
•Shaedon Sharpe (left calf strain) has not practiced since the All-Star break and is out vs. Denver.
•Matisse Thybulle (right knee tendinopathy) has practiced each of the last 2 days and his availability vs. Denver is TBD.

Blazers’ Deni Avdija ends unlikely journey with ‘long weekend’ at historic All-Star game Avdija’s breakout season reached its highest peak yet Sunday when he participated in his first All-Star game, becoming the first Israeli-born player to play in the event.

The “chubby” kid who learned English by watching Nickelodeon played in his first NBA All-Star game Sunday.

A look at Deni Avdija’s journey to the “biggest stage in the world.”

www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...

Blazers’ Deni Avdija ends unlikely journey with ‘long weekend’ at historic All-Star game Avdija’s breakout season reached its highest peak yet Sunday when he participated in his first All-Star game, becoming the first Israeli-born player to play in the event.

Blazers’ Deni Avdija ends unlikely journey with ‘long weekend’ at historic All-Star game:

www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...

Dame Time returns: Damian Lillard earns improbable 3-Point Contest win at All-Star Weekend The man who has made a career out of proving doubters wrong did so yet again, stunning a talented field of shooters to win for the third time even though he hasn't played in a game this season.

“I wasn’t going out like that.”

After winning his third 3-Point Contest, Blazers All-Star Damian Lillard says he’s “representing strength” as he fights back from Achilles injury:

www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...

Dame Time returns: Damian Lillard earns improbable 3-Point Contest win at All-Star Weekend The man who has made a career out of proving doubters wrong did so yet again, stunning a talented field of shooters to win for the third time even though he hasn't played in a game this season.

Dame Time returns: Damian Lillard earns improbable 3-Point Contest win at All-Star Weekend»

www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...

NBA Rising Stars: Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen leave with highlights, memories, motivation The Blazers’ towering young centers stepped onto the NBA’s biggest stage Friday night, mixing a little competition and a little one-on-one play with a whole lot of laughs.

NBA Rising Stars: Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen leave All-Star Weekend with highlights, memories, motivation »

www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...

I asked Yang Hansen about his favorite part of the Rising Stars game: “I tried to show everybody my “Chinglish," he said via an interpreter.”

But his favorite part of All-Star weekend — chatting with childhood idol Nikola Jokic — had yet to come. “I can't wait to kiss him,” Yang said, laughing.

Trail Blazers great Buck Williams named finalist for Basketball Hall of Fame Williams played 17 seasons in the NBA, including seven in Portland, where he blossomed into a linchpin of the most successful stretch in franchise history.

Trail Blazers great Buck Williams named finalist for Basketball Hall of Fame:
www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...

Blazers’ roster crunch: What happens when Sidy Cissoko and Caleb Love hit 50-game limit? The Blazers' two-way players are approaching their 50th games of the season, cornering general manager Joe Cronin into some tough decisions.

Trail Blazers’ roster crunch: What happens when two-way players Sidy Cissoko and Caleb Love hit 50-game limit?

www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...

Headbands, Chipotle and Deni Avdija’s return rekindle old Blazers, spark win over 76ers Avdija made an impressive return, Camara had a career night and the Blazers unleashed one of their best offensive performances of the season in a lopsided win over Philadelphia.

Headbands, Chipotle and Deni Avdija's return: The old Blazers made an appearance last night in win over 76ers

www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...

Tiago Splitter says Deni Avdija is “probably” going to play tonight vs. the 76ers. He has missed the last 4 games and 9 of 13 with a lower back strain.

Ron Wyden says losing Blazers would be ‘showstopper,’ supports ‘economic force’ of Moda renovation Sen. Wyden champions arena investment as economic driver amid concerns about prospective new owner Tom Dundon's commitment.

Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden says losing Blazers would be ‘showstopper,’ supports ‘economic force’ of Moda renovation:

www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...

‘He likes to win’: Inside Tom Dundon’s rise from failed burger joint to buying the Blazers Government officials are scrambling to find public money to renovate Moda Center and keep the team in Portland.

‘He likes to win’: Inside Tom Dundon’s rise from failed burger joint to buying the Blazers
www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...

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? Blazers guard nears comeback, says ‘I feel amazing’ The former lottery pick hasn't played since March 2025, but could return as early as this week.

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 Blazers mixed emotions The Blazers acquired a sharp-shooting guard, welcomed back Blake Wesley and celebrated Deni Avdija's All-Star berth, but still suffered their fifth consecutive defeat.

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 Avdija was one of 14 players voted as a reserve to the NBA’s marquee exhibition event, earning an All-Star bid for the first time in his six-year career.

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.

Deni Avdija reinjures back, Blazers beat Heat to improve to NBA-best 9-2 in January The Blazers won for the 11th time in the last 14 games, but the best news came afterward when Avdija downplayed another ailment.

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.