Portland Trail Blazers DVOA, Stats, & NBA Rankings

Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton (hand) will suit up on Saturday night against the Raptors. He's been flirting with playing over the last few games. However, the former Sun will return after missing the previous five games because of a sprained hand. There's a chance Ayton will get fewer minutes in his first game back from a lengthy layoff. But his return will still be enough to drop the fantasy ceiling of Duop Reath, who's averaged 13.8 points and 6.0 rebounds in 16 starts during the 2023-24 campaign.

Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton (hand) has been ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Houston Rockets. This marks the fifth game in a row that Ayton has missed due to a hand sprain. When healthy, Ayton has been a solid asset to the Blazers. However, he's missed over 20 games and is likely to miss more with the Blazers falling out of contention. There is little incentive for the Blazers to push Ayton back to the floor right now. Duop Reath should continue to start and is a solid streaming option.

Portland Trail Blazers forward Jabari Walker (hip) has been ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Houston Rockets. This is bad timing with Jerami Grant (hamstring) and Deandre Ayton (hand) sidelined as well. The Blazers are going to be forced to rely on Toumani Camara and Duop Reath to play big minutes in the rotation. Both players could be viable streaming options given the Blazers' lack of depth. Hopefully, Walker can return after this game, but fantasy managers will have to check back for another update.

Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Houston Rockets. His return to the court was short-lived lived as he only lasted two games before ending up on the sideline again. The Blazers are shorthanded with both Jabari Walker (hip) and Deandre Ayton (hand) sidelined as well. That being said, Toumani Camara figures to play big minutes in the rotation. He's worth a look as a streaming option with the Blazers thin for Friday's game.

Portland Trail Blazers forward Jabari Walker (hip) is on the latest injury report and has been tagged as questionable with a right hip contusion. Walker is one of eight Blazers that made an appearance on the injury report and only three seem to have a chance of playing on Friday. The 21-year-old has seen some very high-minute games but also some that are like the last game where he only received 18 minutes. If he's able to play while the others listed as questionable do not, then he should have a much bigger role against the Houston Rockets. If he's unable to suit up though, Jerami Grant (questionable - hamstring) and Kris Murray should remain in the starting five and receive more minutes.