The Portland Trail Blazers’ injury woes have gone from bad to worse.
The team added three players, including two starters, to Wednesday’s injury report ahead of a game at the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Deni Avdija (left ankle sprain), Donovan Clingan (bruised left leg) and Kris Murray (bruised left hip) have been listed as questionable ahead of today’s 4 p.m. matchup at Rocket Arena.
The trio of rotation players apparently suffered the injuries in the Blazers’ 121-118 loss at the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night, although the ailments did not affect their playing time.
Avdija played 37 minutes, including 10 in the fourth quarter, and finished with 25 points, 14 assists and eight rebounds. Clingan — who missed the previous game with an illness — played 21 minutes, including three in the fourth, and recorded 11 points and 11 rebounds. Murray played 26 minutes, including seven in the fourth, logging five points and two steals.
Injuries have derailed a once-promising season for the Blazers, as 10 different players have missed a combined 97 games due to injury or illness.
The first setback arrived days before the start of training camp, when point guard Scoot Henderson tore his left hamstring during a pick-up game at the practice facility, and they’ve only mounted since. The Blazers have played nine games without a true point guard, four games without their starting backcourt and 15 games without backup guards Matisse Thybulle and Blake Wesley, who were important components of their style of play.
Interim coach Tiago Splitter has been forced to play all three of the Blazers’ two-way players and others who were not expected to see the floor, including Rayan Rupert, Javonte Cooke, Duop Reath, Sidy Cissoko and Caleb Love. Cissoko has started each of the last seven games.
Only two Blazers — Avdija and Toumani Camara — have played in all 21 games this season.
As a result, Portland (8-13) has limped into December. After a promising 5-3 start, during which the Blazers defeated the Denver Nuggets, Oklahoma City Thunder and Golden State Warriors, they’ve gone just 3-10. Portland brings a three-game losing streak into its visit to Cleveland.
Here’s a breakdown of the Blazers’ injuries/illnesses this season:
• Damian Lillard (left Achilles tendon recovery): 21 games
• Scoot Henderson (left hamstring tear): 21 games
• Matisse Thybulle (left thumb sprain/right hip soreness): 17 games
• Blake Wesley (right foot fracture): 15 games
• Jrue Holiday (right calf strain): nine games
• Shaedon Sharpe (right calf strain): four games
• Rob Williams III (left knee injury management): seven games
• Jerami Grant (illness): one game
• Donovan Clingan (illness): one game
• Kris Murray (illness): one game