The Portland Trail Blazers are on the road on Wednesday night as they face off against the Memphis Grizzlies in a Western Conference matchup.
For Portland, they enter Wednesday’s game with a 29-33 record and they are looking to bounce back after losing on the road to the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday night.
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Portland Trail Blazers coach Tiago SplitterBrett Davis-Imagn Images
(Brett Davis-Imagn Images)
Of course, the Trail Blazers currently hold the 10th seed in the Western Conference as they continue to try and fight their way up the standings to secure a Play-In spot with the end of the regular season nearing.
Unfortunately for Portland, they will be without one of their star players in Wednesday’s game against Memphis.
Trail Blazers Rule Out Deni Avdija for Wednesday’s Game
Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8)Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
(Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images)
Ahead of Wednesday’s game against the Grizzlies, the Trail Blazers announced that forward Deni Avdija has been ruled out due to low back injury management.
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Avdija was previously listed as questionable for Wednesday’s matchup and there was hope that the star forward would be able to return against the Grizzlies, though that will not be the case as he will be sidelined once again.
For Avdija, this will mark the fifth consecutive contest that he has missed due to his lingering back injury that also cost him time earlier this season before he aggravated the injury on February 22 against the Phoenix Suns.
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Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8)© Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
(© Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images)
This is a tough blow for the Trail Blazers as Avdija has been one of their top players this season as he has put together a career-best season that resulted in him being named as an All-Star for the first time.
In 48 games this season, the 25-year-old forward is averaging 24.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game while shooting 46.3% from the field and 34.1% from three.
Trail Blazers guard Scoot HendersonTroy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
(Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images)
With Avdija sidelined once again on Wednesday, Vit Krejci and Scoot Henderson could both be in line for increased roles, especially with the Trail Blazers also ruling out Kris Murray due to an illness as he had been filling in for Avdija in the starting lineup.
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The next chance for the star forward to return from injury will be on Friday when the Trail Blazers travel to take on the Houston Rockets.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.