When it goes to Los Angeles on Saturday afternoon, Portland will play the final away game of a season that has been marred by a string of poor performances.
The most recent injury update for Los Angeles Clippers vs. Portland Trail Blazers
The Los Angeles Clippers meet the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday in an attempt to secure their place in the NBA playoffs.
Los Angeles (42-38) may still finish as high as fifth if they win their final two games, which they play against Phoenix on Sunday afternoon, but they can also end as low as ninth.
The Clippers ended a two-game losing streak by defeating the Lakers 125-118 in their most recent contest.
Kawhi Leonard had 25 points, Ivica Zubac had 17 points and 13 rebounds, and Norman Powell had 27 points off the bench.
This put them ahead of the Lakers and Pelicans in their quest to win a top-six berth and escape the play-in playoffs.
Due to a right knee injury, Los Angeles has been without Paul George and his team-leading 23.8-point average since March 23.
Leonard, the Clippers’ second-leading scorer (23.7 points per game), had 40 points and eight rebounds in a loss to New Orleans last week.
He scored 24 points the last time Los Angeles visited Portland, a 117-102 Clippers victory on March 19.
If Kawhi Leonards is still available for tonight’s game against the Blazers, how about Paul George?
George‘s injury will likely keep him out for the rest of the season, so fantasy managers should safely drop him.
With the Clippers currently ranked fifth in the Western Conference, he might return for a playoff push. Eric Gordon, Terance Mann, and Nicolas Batum are all prospects for expanded roles, with Norman Powell (shoulder) out as well.
Let’s get started on the Clippers’ injured list for Saturday’s game.
| PLAYER | INJURY |
STATUS
|
| Marcus Morris | Back |
Expected to be out until at least Apr 9
|
| Paul George | Knee |
Expected to be out until at least Apr 9
|
Portland (33-47) has used a young group in recent weeks after missing the playoffs, starting a quintet of John Butler, Jeenathan Williams, Drew Eubanks, Skylar Mays, and Trendon Watford in a 129-127 loss to San Antonio on Thursday.
Eubanks had 23 points, while Kevin Knox had a season-high 24 points off the bench.
Portland used Mays (11 points) and Shaquille Harrison as point guards in Lillard’s absence (10 points and nine assists off the bench).
Damian Lillard, the Blazers’ star guard, made his final appearance of the season. Lillard scored 21 points on 4-of-17 shooting with nine assists in the loss and has not played since March 22.
Since March 19, the Blazers have been without Anfernee Simons (a 21.1-point-per-game scorer). His most recent appearance was a 16-point performance in Portland’s loss to the Clippers.
With a win in Saturday’s matinée, Los Angeles can complete the season sweep.
In addition to the March 19 triumph, the Clippers won a 118-112 decision on Nov. 29 behind Powell’s season-high 32 points.
The Clippers finish the regular season with a trip to Phoenix on Sunday, which might serve as a preview of their first-round playoff series. Earlier this week, the Suns clinched the fourth spot.
Let’s begin with the Portland Trail Blazers’ injured list for their matchup on Saturday.
| PLAYER | INJURY |
STATUS
|
| Matisse Thybulle | Knee |
Expected to be out until at least Apr 9
|
| Nassir Little | Ankle |
Expected to be out until at least Apr 9
|
| Drew Eubanks | Ankle |
Game Time Decision
|
| Anfernee Simons | Foot |
Expected to be out until at least Apr 9
|
| Trendon Watford | Ankle |
Game Time Decision
|
| Jusuf Nurkic | Knee |
Expected to be out until at least Apr 9
|
| Jerami Grant | Quadriceps |
Expected to be out until at least Apr 9
|
| Cam Reddish | Back |
Game Time Decision
|
| Keon Johnson | Finger |
Expected to be out until at least Aug 1
|
| Damian Lillard | Calf |
Out for the season
|
| Justise Winslow | Ankle |
Out for the season
|
| Ibou Badji | Knee |
Expected to be out until at least Aug 1
|
