Portland Trail Blazers DVOA, Stats, & NBA Rankings

Portland Trail Blazers guard/forward Matisse Thybulle (ankle) will be sidelined for Wednesday's contest against the Hornets. He's seen a total of 12 minutes of action across the last nine games as Thybulle continues to battle a right ankle injury. This will be the second consecutive game he misses. Kris Murray benefits from Thybulle's absence, but he's a very risky fantasy option due to his inconsistency. On paper, the matchup against Charlotte is a very favorable one for Murray and the Trail Blazers, as only Utah has a poorer defensive rating than the Hornets.

Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons (knee) will be out of the lineup for a sixth consecutive game on Wednesday versus Charlotte. Portland's leading scorer continues to deal with a left knee problem. Dalano Banton should be fired up by fantasy managers again on Wednesday, while Rayan Rupert will likely earn another start. The 19-year-old has averaged an underwhelming 7.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in a starting role, but Banton has exploded for a number of big efforts lately. A meeting with the league's second-worst defense puts him in a perfect spot to crush it again.

Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant (hamstring) isn't expected to suit up for Wednesday's matchup with Charlotte. He's listed on the league's official injury report as doubtful. However, as each game passes, Grant's chances of returning during the 2023-24 campaign significantly decrease. Nevertheless, Jabari Walker should remain in the starting lineup if Grant doesn't play on Wednesday. The 21-year-old is coming off an 18-point effort in Monday's loss to Orlando. However, Walker combined for just 15 points in the three games leading up to Monday's contest, meaning he can't be trusted from a fantasy perspective.

Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant (hamstring) has been officially ruled out for Monday's contest against Orlando. He's been sidelined for a number of weeks with a hamstring problem, and Grant's absence doesn't come as a surprise after he was initially labeled as doubtful on the injury report. The Trail Blazers also recently lost Toumani Camara (ribs, lung) from the lineup, which has pushed Jabari Walker to the starting unit. The 21-year-old has posted 8.2 points and 7.9 rebounds in a starting role this season. He has an uncomfortable matchup on Monday against a slow-paced team that boasts an air-tight defense.

Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons (knee) will sit out a fifth consecutive contest on Monday versus Orlando. He's battling left knee tendinitis and will get the next opportunity to return on Wednesday against Charlotte. Simons' injury has opened up playing time and usage to Rayan Rupert and Dalano Banton. The latter has had a couple of special outings lately and did well throughout last month. Across 17 March outings, Banton averaged 17.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists with 2.3 made triples. On Monday, Rupert and Banton will be in a tricky spot to perform, as only Minnesota allows fewer made shots per game than Orlando.