PORTLAND, Ore. — A month into the season, the injury bug is hitting the Portland Trail Blazers hard.
The team provided injury updates Thursday for centers Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams III and guard/forward Matisse Thybulle. All are expected to miss time with various injuries.
Thybulle, who hasn't played in a game this season while recovering from a right-knee procedure, suffered a grade 2 sprain of his right ankle while ramping up his rehab to return to the court. The team said Thybulle will miss the next three to six weeks.
Clingan, who injured his left knee in Saturday's win against the Rockets and didn't play Monday against Memphis has a grade 2 MCL sprain. The Blazers said the rookie center will be reevaluated in two weeks. Clingan was averaging 5.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in 17 minutes per game.
Williams, who left Monday's game against Memphis and didn't return, has been placed in the NBA's concussion protocol. There's no timetable for when he'll return to the court. Williams had played in seven games so far this season, averaging 9.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 1.9 blocks in 18.7 minutes per game.
Forward Jerami Grant also has a left knee sprain and is listed as doubtful for Wednesday's game against the Indiana Pacers. Three other players are listed as questionable against the Pacers, including center Deandre Ayton (right index finger contusion), who has missed the past seven games, guard Scoot Henderson (back strain) and forward Kris Murray (sternum bruise).
Sean Highkin of The Rose Garden Report reported that Henderson strained his back when he was involved in a minor car accident in a ride share while the team was in Houston last week.
The Blazers are 7-11 and in 13th place in the Western Conference this season.
