The Portland Trail Blazers have assigned wing Matisse Thybulle to their G League affiliate, the Rip City Remix, for return-to-court conditioning as he continues to recover from a grade 2 sprain of his right ankle, the organization announced on social media.
The Rose Garden Report’s Sean Highkin first reported the news, writing that Thybulle is staying in Portland Monday during the Blazers’ one-game road trip against the Golden State Warriors to get extra practice time. If all goes well, Highkin reported Thybulle could see game action for the first time this season during the Blazers’ upcoming seven-game homestand that begins Wednesday against the New York Knicks.
I’m told that Matisse Thybulle will not travel to Golden State for tomorrow’s game and will instead practice with the Remix as part of his reconditioning. If he continues to progress. it’s possible he could play on this homestand.
Thybulle has yet to play in a game this season. He underwent a procedure during the preseason to address inflammation in his right knee. Then in late November, Thybulle sustained the ankle sprain during the ramp-up to return to the court following the procedure.
The Blazers announced on Jan. 11 that Thybulle’s recovery from the ankle sprain was continuing. At that time, the organization said Thybulle would be re-evaluated in two weeks. On Feb. 21, Portland head coach Chauncey Billups told reporters that Thybulle started doing light 3-on-3 practicing.
In 65 appearances with Portland last season, Thybulle averaged 5.4 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 22.9 minutes per game while shooting 34.6% from behind the 3-point line.