Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe during an NBA game.
The Portland Trail Blazers announced on Feb. 24 that guard Shaedon Sharpe is dealing with a stress reaction in his left fibula in addition to the left calf strain he’s been rehabbing, and he’ll be re-evaluated in approximately four-to-six weeks.
That’s the kind of update that lands hard, especially coming on the heels of Portland managing Deni Avdija’s lingering back issue after he exited early in Phoenix. The Blazers have been piecing together lineups for weeks, and this Sharpe timeline makes it clear they’ll be doing it a while longer.
What the Blazers announced about Shaedon Sharpe
Portland’s release said Sharpe “continues to receive treatment” for the left calf strain, but follow-up imaging revealed the stress reaction in his left fibula. The team added Sharpe will be re-evaluated in about 4-6 weeks before beginning a progressive return to full basketball activity.
Two key takeaways for fans trying to translate that into a calendar:
“Re-evaluated” is not the same as “returns.” Four-to-six weeks is the next checkpoint, not a guaranteed back-on-the-floor date.
A stress reaction is typically treated cautiously because it can worsen if pushed too quickly, meaning Portland’s likely to prioritize healing over rushing him back for a short-term boost.
Portland had already been listing Sharpe out with the calf issue, and assistant coachTiago Splitter recently indicated the team was still evaluating how long Sharpe would be sidelined. Now, the team has a clearer (and longer) window.
Why this matters right now (and why it’s connected to Avdija’s situation)
The timing is brutal because Portland is already navigating Avdija’s back flare-up, including a recent early exit and at least one game listing that kept him out.
Even if the Blazers don’t frame it as “bad luck,” the rotation math is obvious: when two high-usage perimeter pieces are limited or unavailable, everyone else’s role becomes less optional and more mandatory, more minutes, more ball-handling, more shot creation responsibilities, and thinner margin for error against playoff-level opponents.
This update effectively locks in a multi-week stretch where Portland has to survive with alternate guard/wing combinations, and that tends to show up quickly in late-game offense, bench minutes, and matchups against teams that pressure the ball. That could mean way more production asked of Jerami Grant as a scorer/creator, and could signal more opportunities for Scoot Henderson as he tries to find his rhythm after dealing with injuries.
Trail Blazers depth chart (what changes without Sharpe)
Here’s the simplest way to frame the ripple effect for readers: Sharpe’s minutes and shots already had been redistributed once this season, now with Avjidaand Sharpe out, that equation will change again. Expect Portland to patch the rotation with a mix of guards and wings depending on opponent size and who’s available night to night.
Guards/Wings (rotation buckets):
What to watch in box scores:
Minute spikes: Who consistently clears +6 to +10 minutes vs their normal workload?
Ball-handling shifts: Who becomes the secondary pick-and-roll handler when sets break down?
Bench scoring: Does Portland replace Sharpe’s shot volume with more threes, more rim pressure, or more midrange?
What happens next for Sharpe (and the Blazers)
The big date for readers to circle is that 4-6 week re-evaluation window. If Sharpe progresses, the next steps typically include a ramp-up (conditioning, practice, contact, then game action) rather than an instant return.
In the meantime, Portland’s challenge is staying afloat in the standings while managing Avdija’s health and absorbing Sharpe’s absence, without overtaxing the rest of the rotation.