The New York Knicks travel west to face the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night with both teams navigating lengthy injury reports ahead of their first meeting of the season at Moda Center.
New York enters the matchup at 24-14, tied for second in the Eastern Conference, while Portland sits 19-20 and ninth in the West, riding a two-game winning streak after consecutive victories over Houston.
The Knicks’ injury report is relatively light but carries rotation implications. Josh Hart is listed as questionable with a right ankle sprain after averaging 12.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 5.1 assists while serving as a key connector in the starting group.
Guerschon Yabusele is also questionable due to a right quad contusion, which could affect New York’s frontcourt depth behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson. Landry Shamet remains out with a right shoulder sprain.
If Hart is unavailable, Miles McBride and Jordan Clarkson are positioned for increased minutes on the wing. McBride is shooting 45.0 percent from three-point range, while Clarkson provides 10.1 points per game in a reserve scoring role.
Portland’s injury list is far more extensive and continues to shape its rotation nightly. Jerami Grant remains out with left Achilles tendonitis, sidelining a 20.0-point-per-game scorer who typically spaces the floor and defends multiple positions.
Damian Lillard is also out under left Achilles injury management, while Scoot Henderson remains sidelined with a left hamstring tear.
Deni Avdija enters Sunday averaging 26.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 7.0 assists, operating as the offense’s focal point. Sharpe adds 21.5 points per game and has taken on a larger shot-creation role in late-clock situations.
Jrue Holiday is listed as questionable with a right calf strain. Robert Williams III is also questionable with right knee soreness after averaging 6.0 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in limited minutes.
Portland will also be without Matisse Thybulle, Kris Murray, and Blake Wesley. Donovan Clingan has averaged 10.8 rebounds while anchoring the interior.
Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. ET.
