It was a tough day for old email inbox where the dreaded “triple name PDF” struck, and if you’re a longtime follower, you know that means bad news on the injury front.
Rookie big man Donovan Clingan is facing a tough setback with a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee. After an MRI, it’s clear he’ll be out for a while, with reevaluation set for two weeks. But let’s be real, reevaluation doesn’t mean he’s back on the court. Historically, according to Jeff Stotts of In Street Clothes, players with this injury miss about 41 days or roughly 22 games. It’s a bummer because Clingan was showing real promise to begin his NBA career, and now that might be on hold until January.
Next, Matisse Thybulle is dealing with a right ankle sprain. After a knee procedure before the season, he was ramping up to return when he sustained an ankle injury during a workout. The timeline for his return is three to six weeks, which means he could miss nearly half the season before making his debut.
Robert Williams was also on the PDF, the official press release is sent to media members emails and includes a daunting physical attachment. Williams has entered the NBA’s concussion protocol. He didn’t return after halftime in the game against Memphis on Monday, and he has alreayd been ruled out for Wednesday’s game against Indiana.
The Blazers injury updates didn’t stop there. Jereami Grant, who left the game against Memphis with a left knee injury, is doubtful for the Pacers game on Wednesday, but there’s a silver lining—no PDF for him yet, which is a good sign. DeAndre Ayton, who has been out with a finger injury, is now questionable. He had been listed as doubtful for the last three games, which suggests he’s trending in the right direction.
The absence of Clingan and Williams means players like Duop Reath and Jabari Walker will likely get some more opportunities to play center and the Blazers will likely experiment with more small-ball looks with Deni Avdija as the de facto five man.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Portland Trail Blazers’ current challenges, tune into the Locked On Blazers podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Blazers Podcast:
- Listener questions about the long-term futures of veteran players
- Strategies for dealing with an offense struggling to find its rhythm
- Why no two players fit well together when they’re struggling
