The Portland Trail Blazers visit the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, January 2, with injury availability playing a major role in the outlook for both teams. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. ET at Smoothie King Center.
Portland enters the game with a 14-20 record and is coming off a 124-95 loss at Oklahoma City on December 31. The Blazers had snapped a skid two days earlier with a 125-122 home win over Dallas.
New Orleans sits at 8-27 and is riding a five-game losing streak following a 134-118 defeat in Chicago on December 31. The Pelicans have not won since December 21 and continue to search for lineup stability.
The Trail Blazers will be without several core rotation players, starting with Jerami Grant, who remains out due to left Achilles tendonitis. Scoot Henderson is also sidelined with a left hamstring tear, limiting Portland’s backcourt depth.
Jrue Holiday will miss the contest with a right calf strain, while Damian Lillard is listed out under left Achilles injury management. Defensive wing Matisse Thybulle and guard Blake Wesley are also unavailable due to knee and foot injuries, respectively.
With those absences, Portland is expected to lean heavily on Deni Avdija, who leads the team with 25.3 points and 6.9 assists per game. Shaedon Sharpe and Donovan Clingan remain key contributors, especially in scoring and rebounding.
The Pelicans are dealing with their own injury concerns, starting with Dejounte Murray, who is out for the season with a right Achilles rupture. Herbert Jones is also unavailable due to a right ankle sprain, impacting New Orleans’ perimeter defense.
Saddiq Bey is listed as questionable with right hip soreness, while Derik Queen carries a questionable tag because of a left quad contusion. Their availability could significantly affect New Orleans’ rotation and scoring balance.
Zion Williamson has played 19 games this season and leads the Pelicans at 22.7 points per game, though minutes restrictions have been part of his usage. Trey Murphy III has been the most consistent presence, averaging 20.5 points and 6.1 rebounds across 33 appearances.
The teams have split two meetings this season, with Portland winning 125-117 on November 12 and New Orleans responding with a 143-120 victory on December 11.
