TUALATIN — The final two months of the Portland Trail Blazers’ season will feature improved — but not perfect — health.

The team returned to practice this week following a weeklong All-Star break and acting coach Tiago Splitter was treated to his healthiest roster since October.

Matisse Thybulle and Kris Murray were full participants in practices held Wednesday and Thursday, indicating that both players are on the verge of rejoining the active roster. Splitter stopped short of guaranteeing the duo would be cleared to play Friday, when the Blazers host the Denver Nuggets at the Moda Center, but signs are encouraging.

“They’ve had two intense days here,” Splitter said Thursday at the Blazers’ practice facility in Tualatin, “We’ll see how (they feel) tomorrow.”

The news was not as good for Shaedon Sharpe, however.

The Blazers’ starting shooting guard, who has not played since Feb. 6 because of a left calf strain, has been ruled out against the Nuggets and his status moving forward is uncertain.

“He didn’t practice,” Splitter said of a player who ranks second on the team in scoring (21.4 points per game). “We’re still evaluating how long he’s going to be out, but for the near future, he’s going to be out for a little bit.”

Even so, the team that has endured the third-worst injury luck in the NBA this season, is inching closer to full health as it opens the final two months of the regular season. The return of Thybulle is especially noteworthy.

The 6-foot-5 guard was expected to fill an important role as a backup guard, bringing disruptive defense and long-range shooting to a team planning to play a fast, fun and full-court brand of basketball. But Thybulle underwent surgery to repair a torn UCL in his left thumb after just four games. Then, as his thumb healed and he resumed basketball activities, Thybulle encountered right knee pain.

He hasn’t played in a game since Oct. 29 because of right knee tendinopathy.

Thybulle also missed most of the 2024-25 season with knee and ankle injuries, playing in just the final 15 games.

But his impact was meaningful in those 15 games, especially on defense, as he collected 33 steals, blocked nine shots and helped craft part of the Blazers’ identity. He also proved to be one of the team’s best shooters, shooting 44% from three-point range, which included an 11-for-21 hot streak over the final six games. He averaged 7.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 1.9 assists in 21 minutes.

Murray, who hasn’t played since Jan. 5 because of a lower back strain, doesn’t bring as much experience or versatility as Thybulle. But he played in 34 games and made 11 starts this season before suffering the injury, averaging 6.1 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.2 steals.

So his potential return — combined with Thybulle’s — was cause for celebration as the Blazers (27-29) returned from the All-Star break chasing a spot in the play-in tournament.

“The most important thing is everybody’s healthy,” All-Star forward Deni Avdija said. “We’re healthy, we’re ready to go, our spirits are up, we’re in a good spot in the standings and our confidence is really good right now.”