Portland Trail Blazers Cautious With Deni Avdija's Ankle Injury

The Portland Trail Blazers are facing uncertainty as the 2026/27 NBA season begins, with forward Deni Avdija listed as questionable for their opening game against the Phoenix Suns due to an ankle injury. The team's official injury report cites "ankle soreness" without specifying a more severe issue like a sprain, which could be a positive sign. However, Portland has a history of listing players with general soreness before a definitive diagnosis, as seen when Avdija missed games earlier in January for "back pain" that escalated into a more significant injury.

This cautious approach is understandable given Avdija's injury history. During his rookie season with Washington, he suffered a stress fracture in his right ankle, which prematurely ended his season. While the current issue is officially described as soreness, the team is likely to err on the side of caution to prevent a recurrence of the previous ankle injury.

Avdija's status is currently rated as "questionable," a designation that falls between "doubtful" and "probable," indicating a 50/50 chance of playing. This situation could be impacted by the NBA's 65-game rule, which affects player eligibility for season-end awards and All-NBA teams. If Avdija misses games early in the season, it could jeopardize his eligibility.

The Trail Blazers' early-season schedule is relatively manageable, with few back-to-back games. They have three games in the upcoming week, allowing them flexibility in managing Avdija's playing time and recovery. Their schedule includes matchups against the Phoenix Suns on October 22nd, the Sacramento Kings on October 24th, and the Los Angeles Lakers on October 28th.