The Charlotte Hornets visit the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night with both teams managing multiple injuries that could affect rotations and backcourt usage.
Tip-off is scheduled for 10:00 PM ET at the Moda Center in Portland. The matchup comes as both teams remain in play-in contention within their respective conferences.
Charlotte enters the game with five players listed on the official injury report. Four Hornets are ruled out due to injuries or assignments, while another absence removes a secondary scoring option from the rotation.
Forward Tidjane Salaun is out with a left calf strain. Wing Liam McNeeley will also miss the game due to a left ankle sprain. Guard Coby White is unavailable as part of left calf injury management.
Two Hornets players are unavailable because of G League assignments. Big man PJ Hall and guard Antonio Reeves remain out under two-way status.
Despite those absences, Charlotte still has several primary offensive options available. Brandon Miller leads the team with 20.6 points per game while averaging 5.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists. LaMelo Ball continues to run the offense, producing 19.3 points and 7.3 assists per game. Rookie wing Kon Knueppel adds 19.2 points while shooting 43.7 percent from three.
Charlotte enters the matchup with a 32-33 record, which places the club 10th in the Eastern Conference standings. The Hornets have lost two straight games, including a 111-99 result against the Phoenix Suns on March 8.
Portland’s injury report also features five players. Two key rotation players are confirmed out, while three others carry questionable designations.
Damian Lillard will not play because of left Achilles tendon injury management. Shaedon Sharpe is also ruled out due to a left fibula stress reaction. Sharpe averages 21.4 points per game and is the team’s second-leading scorer.
Three two-way players are listed as questionable: Jayson Kent, Caleb Love and Chris Youngblood.
With Sharpe unavailable, forward Deni Avdija becomes Portland’s primary scoring option. The 25-year-old averages 24.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 6.7 assists this season.
Veteran guard Jrue Holiday remains another key piece in the backcourt, averaging 16.8 points and 6.3 assists. Center Donovan Clingan anchors the interior with 11.5 rebounds per game.
Portland holds a 31-34 record and sits 10th in the Western Conference. The team enters the game with momentum after consecutive wins over the Indiana Pacers and the Memphis Grizzlies.
The teams have already met once this season. Charlotte recorded a 109-93 win on February 28 in the only previous matchup.
