Portland Trail Blazers All-Star Deni Avdija will miss Tuesday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves as he continues to deal with a lower back injury, the organization announced.
Avdija attempted to play in Portland’s 92-77 road win over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night, but he was forced to check out just 59 seconds into the game after his back flared up again. The 6-f0ot-8 forward’s back issues first began this season when he sustained a lower back strain against the New York Knicks on Jan. 11.
Avdija has come in and out of the lineup through Portland’s 18 games since then. Even on the nights he has suited up, he hasn’t always looked comfortable or like the All-Star force Portland has depended upon so much this season. Tuesday’s matchup against the Timberwolves will mark Avdija’s 11th missed game due to the back issue.
Elsewhere on the injury report, Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe will remain out due to his left calf strain. Blazers rookies Yang Hansen and Caleb Love will be out due to G League assignments with the Rip City Remix. The Remix play the Santa Cruz Warriors at the Chiles Center on Tuesday night. Blazers guard Damian Lillard also remains out as he recovers from a torn left Achilles.
INJURY REPORT 2/24 vs. MIN:
OUT
Deni Avdija (Low Back Injury Management)
Damian Lillard (L Achilles Tendon)
Caleb Love (G League Two-Way)
Shaedon Sharpe (L Calf Strain)
Yang Hansen (G League On Assignment)
The Blazers are scheduled to tip off against the Timberwolves on Tuesday at the Moda Center at 7 p.m. PST.