Shorthanded Trail Blazers Lose At Memphis 123-98
750 The Game Staff
The Trail Blazers fell behind early and never recovered in Memphis on Monday night, falling 123-98 to the Grizzlies.
Deni Avdija came off the bench for a team-high 17 points while adding 8 rebounds, 6 assists, a steal and a block.
Ja Morant had 22 points and 11 assists, both game-highs, to pace Memphis.
Portland was already thin in the front court as Deandre Ayton missed his seventh straight game with a finger injury and rookie Donovan Clingan missed the game with a knee sprain suffered in Saturday’s win in Houston.
Robert Williams III started at center, but played just 12 minutes before exiting and being evaluated for a concussion. Also, forward Jerami Grant left the game early in the third quarter with a left knee issue, according to the team, and did not return.
INJURY UPDATE: Jerami Grant (Left Knee) will not return to tonight’s game @ MEM.
— Trail Blazers PR (@TrailBlazersPR) November 26, 2024
INJURY UPDATE: Robert Williams III is being evaluated for a concussion and will not return to tonight’s game @ MEM.
— Trail Blazers PR (@TrailBlazersPR) November 26, 2024
Scoot Henderson (back strain) also missed the game for the Blazers, who played without Kris Murry (Sternum Bruise) and continue to await the season debut of Matisse Thybulle (right ankle sprain).
Portland is 1-3 on the five game road trip which concludes in Indiana on Wednesday against the Pacers. The Blazers are 7-11 overall, third-worst record in the West and seventh-worst record in the NBA.