Danny Awdia out against Warriors as Jerami Grant nears return
After a a tough loss to the New York Knicksthe Portland Trail Blazers head into Tuesday night against the Golden State Warriors with tough news hanging over the locker room. Danny Avdia will miss the game, and his absence immediately changes the way the Blazers attack this matchup. The team is citing the injury as lower back soreness, a frustrating setback after a painful moment late on Sunday. However, not all news is bleak. The The Blazers upgraded Jeramie Grant to questionablewhich gives Portland something to hold on to as the night draws in.
Blazers Insider Sean Highkin delivered both updatesand the timing could not have been more delicate. Danny Avdia has carried the Blazers this season with relentless production. In 40 games, he is averaging 26.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 6.9 assists in 35.4 minutes per night while shooting 46.8 percent from the field and 35.5 percent from three. Such a result does not disappear quietly. It slipped away late against the Knicks when Avdia jumped into traffic for a rebound, landed on two feet and immediately clutched the left side of his lower back in visible pain. He remained upright, but the message was clear.
Grant’s situation carries a different energy. After missing 13 straight games, the dubious mark signals real progress. When healthy, Grant is averaging 20.0 points per game on 43.6% shooting and a sharp 38.9% from long range. His spacing stretches defenses and stabilizes Portland’s offense.
Jeremy Grant’s return comes into focus for the Blazers
Highkin added important context that fans shouldn’t ignore. Meanwhile, based on the pattern he’s been following for Jrue’s return, his guess is that Grant won’t play Tuesday, but will be listed as questionable for Thursday against Atlanta with a realistic hope of returning. That projection, in turn, matches the team’s careful approach.
For now, the Blazers are fighting the Warriors with rhythm and short rotations. As a result, the crowd will be buzzing. The tension will rise. And each possession will have additional weight. How close are the Blazers to feeling whole again?
2026-01-13 16:30:00
