Portland Trail Blazers Cautious Over Deni Avdija's Ankle Injury Ahead of Season Opener
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
Israeli star Deni Avdija is questionable for the Portland Trail Blazers' season opener against the Phoenix Suns due to ankle soreness. The team is being cautious given his past stress fracture in the same ankle and the NBA's 65-game eligibility rule. Portland has a favorable early schedule, allowing them to manage his return carefully.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Deni Avdija is questionable for the Portland Trail Blazers' season opener with ankle soreness.
- The team is cautious due to Avdija's previous stress fracture in the same ankle.
- Avdija's status is currently rated as 50/50, one level above doubtful.
- Missing games could impact Avdija's eligibility for NBA season awards under the 65-game rule.
- The Trail Blazers have a manageable early schedule, allowing for careful player management.
The Portland Trail Blazers are facing uncertainty regarding their Israeli star, Deni Avdija, as he is listed as questionable for their season opener against the Phoenix Suns. The official injury report cites "ankle soreness" without specifying a more severe injury like a sprain, which could be an encouraging sign. However, the team has a history of listing players with soreness before a definitive diagnosis, as seen when Avdija missed games earlier in the season due to "back pain" that escalated into a more significant issue.
Avdija previously suffered a stress fracture in his right ankle at the end of his rookie season with Washington, which led to him ending his season prematurely. While the current issue is officially described as soreness, the team is likely to exercise extreme caution given his injury history with the same ankle. His status is currently rated as "doubtful" (50/50) for the game.
The NBA's 65-game rule, which impacts eligibility for end-of-season awards and All-NBA teams, is in effect. If Avdija misses games early in the season, it could affect his standing under this rule. The Trail Blazers have a relatively manageable early-season schedule, with few back-to-back games, allowing them flexibility in managing Avdija's playing time as they decide on his return.
The Trail Blazers' upcoming schedule includes games against Phoenix on October 22nd, Sacramento on October 24th, the Lakers on October 28th, Memphis on October 30th, and Utah on October 31st.
