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Joe Freeman

@freemanjoe

Senior Writer for The Oregonian/OregonLive covering the Portland Trail Blazers and NBA.

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27.11.2023
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Latest posts by Joe Freeman @freemanjoe

Injury update on Shaedon Sharpe, via the Blazers:
"Follow-up imaging" on his left calf strain revealed a stress reaction of his left fibula and he will be reevaluated in 4-6 weeks. The Blazers' season finale is April 12, so the injury could sidelined him for the rest of the year.

24.02.2026 22:58 ๐Ÿ‘ 2 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
Preview
After week in the sun, Trail Blazers ready to get โ€˜back to workโ€™ amid playoff push The play-in tournament is a virtual lock for a team that hasnโ€™t reached the postseason since 2021, when it suffered a first-round loss to the Denver Nuggets, and the Blazers are eyeing more.

After week in the sun, Trail Blazers ready to get โ€˜back to workโ€™ amid playoff push:

www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...

20.02.2026 20:25 ๐Ÿ‘ 9 ๐Ÿ” 3 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

The Blazers have converted Sidy Cissoko's two-way contract into a standard deal that will run through the 2026-27 season.

To make room for Cissoko on the 15-man regular roster, the team has waived Rayan Rupert.

20.02.2026 17:57 ๐Ÿ‘ 9 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

A couple injury updates for the Trail Blazers:
โ€ขShaedon Sharpe (left calf strain) has not practiced since the All-Star break and is out vs. Denver.
โ€ขMatisse Thybulle (right knee tendinopathy) has practiced each of the last 2 days and his availability vs. Denver is TBD.

19.02.2026 21:19 ๐Ÿ‘ 4 ๐Ÿ” 2 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Blazersโ€™ Deni Avdija ends unlikely journey with โ€˜long weekendโ€™ at historic All-Star game Avdijaโ€™s breakout season reached its highest peak yet Sunday when he participated in his first All-Star game, becoming the first Israeli-born player to play in the event.

The โ€œchubbyโ€ kid who learned English by watching Nickelodeon played in his first NBA All-Star game Sunday.

A look at Deni Avdijaโ€™s journey to the โ€œbiggest stage in the world.โ€

www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...

16.02.2026 17:27 ๐Ÿ‘ 4 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
Blazersโ€™ Deni Avdija ends unlikely journey with โ€˜long weekendโ€™ at historic All-Star game Avdijaโ€™s breakout season reached its highest peak yet Sunday when he participated in his first All-Star game, becoming the first Israeli-born player to play in the event.

Blazersโ€™ Deni Avdija ends unlikely journey with โ€˜long weekendโ€™ at historic All-Star game:

www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...

16.02.2026 05:38 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
Dame Time returns: Damian Lillard earns improbable 3-Point Contest win at All-Star Weekend The man who has made a career out of proving doubters wrong did so yet again, stunning a talented field of shooters to win for the third time even though he hasn't played in a game this season.

โ€œI wasnโ€™t going out like that.โ€

After winning his third 3-Point Contest, Blazers All-Star Damian Lillard says heโ€™s โ€œrepresenting strengthโ€ as he fights back from Achilles injury:

www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...

15.02.2026 02:28 ๐Ÿ‘ 11 ๐Ÿ” 2 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
Dame Time returns: Damian Lillard earns improbable 3-Point Contest win at All-Star Weekend The man who has made a career out of proving doubters wrong did so yet again, stunning a talented field of shooters to win for the third time even though he hasn't played in a game this season.

Dame Time returns: Damian Lillard earns improbable 3-Point Contest win at All-Star Weekendยป

www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...

15.02.2026 02:03 ๐Ÿ‘ 21 ๐Ÿ” 2 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
Preview
NBA Rising Stars: Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen leave with highlights, memories, motivation The Blazersโ€™ towering young centers stepped onto the NBAโ€™s biggest stage Friday night, mixing a little competition and a little one-on-one play with a whole lot of laughs.

NBA Rising Stars: Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen leave All-Star Weekend with highlights, memories, motivation ยป

www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...

14.02.2026 06:45 ๐Ÿ‘ 10 ๐Ÿ” 4 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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I asked Yang Hansen about his favorite part of the Rising Stars game: โ€œI tried to show everybody my โ€œChinglish," he said via an interpreter.โ€

But his favorite part of All-Star weekend โ€” chatting with childhood idol Nikola Jokic โ€”ย had yet to come. โ€œI can't wait to kiss him,โ€ Yang said, laughing.

14.02.2026 03:13 ๐Ÿ‘ 19 ๐Ÿ” 3 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Trail Blazers great Buck Williams named finalist for Basketball Hall of Fame Williams played 17 seasons in the NBA, including seven in Portland, where he blossomed into a linchpin of the most successful stretch in franchise history.

Trail Blazers great Buck Williams named finalist for Basketball Hall of Fame:
www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...

12.02.2026 01:59 ๐Ÿ‘ 23 ๐Ÿ” 6 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
Blazersโ€™ roster crunch: What happens when Sidy Cissoko and Caleb Love hit 50-game limit? The Blazers' two-way players are approaching their 50th games of the season, cornering general manager Joe Cronin into some tough decisions.

Trail Blazersโ€™ roster crunch: What happens when two-way players Sidy Cissoko and Caleb Love hit 50-game limit?

www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...

10.02.2026 22:15 ๐Ÿ‘ 4 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Headbands, Chipotle and Deni Avdijaโ€™s return rekindle old Blazers, spark win over 76ers Avdija made an impressive return, Camara had a career night and the Blazers unleashed one of their best offensive performances of the season in a lopsided win over Philadelphia.

Headbands, Chipotle and Deni Avdija's return: The old Blazers made an appearance last night in win over 76ers

www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...

10.02.2026 22:14 ๐Ÿ‘ 4 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2 ๐Ÿ“Œ 1

Tiago Splitter says Deni Avdija is โ€œprobablyโ€ going to play tonight vs. the 76ers. He has missed the last 4 games and 9 of 13 with a lower back strain.

10.02.2026 01:26 ๐Ÿ‘ 5 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Ron Wyden says losing Blazers would be โ€˜showstopper,โ€™ supports โ€˜economic forceโ€™ of Moda renovation Sen. Wyden champions arena investment as economic driver amid concerns about prospective new owner Tom Dundon's commitment.

Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden says losing Blazers would be โ€˜showstopper,โ€™ supports โ€˜economic forceโ€™ of Moda renovation:

www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...

08.02.2026 17:40 ๐Ÿ‘ 5 ๐Ÿ” 1 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
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โ€˜He likes to winโ€™: Inside Tom Dundonโ€™s rise from failed burger joint to buying the Blazers Government officials are scrambling to find public money to renovate Moda Center and keep the team in Portland.

โ€˜He likes to winโ€™: Inside Tom Dundonโ€™s rise from failed burger joint to buying the Blazers
www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...

07.02.2026 17:52 ๐Ÿ‘ 4 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Shaedon Sharpe has a left calf injury and will not return tonight vs. the Grizzlies, per the Blazers.

07.02.2026 04:39 ๐Ÿ‘ 2 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Tiago Splitter says Scoot Henderson has been cleared to play tomorrow vs. the Grizzlies and will make his season-debut.

05.02.2026 21:52 ๐Ÿ‘ 16 ๐Ÿ” 1 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 1

Vit Krejci has passed his physical and will be in uniform tonight when the Blazers host the Suns.

04.02.2026 02:24 ๐Ÿ‘ 16 ๐Ÿ” 3 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Scoot has officially been listed as doubtful for Tuesday night's game vs. the Suns. Deni Avdija (lower back strain) is also doubtful.

03.02.2026 01:14 ๐Ÿ‘ 11 ๐Ÿ” 1 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
When will Scoot Henderson return? Blazers guard nears comeback, says โ€˜I feel amazingโ€™ The former lottery pick hasn't played since March 2025, but could return as early as this week.

When will Scoot Henderson return? Trail Blazers point guard nears comeback, says โ€˜I feel amazingโ€™
www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...

03.02.2026 00:08 ๐Ÿ‘ 7 ๐Ÿ” 2 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
Preview
A day of trades, All-Star berths and feel-good returns ends with Blazers mixed emotions The Blazers acquired a sharp-shooting guard, welcomed back Blake Wesley and celebrated Deni Avdija's All-Star berth, but still suffered their fifth consecutive defeat.

A day of trades, All-Star berths and feel-good returns ends with mixed emotions for the Trail Blazers:

www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...

02.02.2026 18:32 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 1 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

A pregame update: Deni Avdija (lower back strain) is out.

02.02.2026 01:49 ๐Ÿ‘ 8 ๐Ÿ” 1 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Tiago Splitter said he talked to Vit Krejci today: "He's excited about coming here. Great shooter. A guy that doesn't need many inches to shoot the basketball. And I think we are thirsty for a shooter like him ... he's a player that's going to help us a lot."

02.02.2026 01:21 ๐Ÿ‘ 9 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Injury notes tonight for the Blazers, according to Tiago Splitter:
โ€ขBlake Wesley will return tonight vs. the Cavaliers, playing in his first game since Halloween.
โ€ขDeni Avdija is expected to play.
โ€ขScoot Henderson should make his season-debut "very, very soon."

02.02.2026 00:46 ๐Ÿ‘ 11 ๐Ÿ” 3 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
Preview
Trail Blazersโ€™ Deni Avdija earns 1st NBA All-Star selection Avdija was one of 14 players voted as a reserve to the NBAโ€™s marquee exhibition event, earning an All-Star bid for the first time in his six-year career.

Trail Blazersโ€™ Deni Avdija earns 1st NBA All-Star selection:
www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...

01.02.2026 23:32 ๐Ÿ‘ 6 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

The Blazers have announced that Duop Reath will miss the rest of the season with a stress fracture in his right foot. The backup center has appeared in 32 games, averaging 2.9 points and 1.2 rebounds, while shooting 42% from 3-point range.

29.01.2026 21:30 ๐Ÿ‘ 3 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Two Blazers have been selected to participate in the Rising Stars game during NBA All-Star Weekend. Donovan Clingan (sophomores) and Yang Hansen (G-League) have been chosen for the draft pool of the annual Rookie/Sophomore game. Teams will be picked Tuesday.

27.01.2026 00:05 ๐Ÿ‘ 7 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Coach Tiago Splitter says Deni Avdija, Rob Williams III and Duop Reath are out tonight vs. the Raptors. That leaves the Blazers with 10 healthy bodies, including two (Jrue Holiday and Jerami Grant) who are on minute-restrictions.

24.01.2026 01:26 ๐Ÿ‘ 8 ๐Ÿ” 1 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
Preview
Deni Avdija reinjures back, Blazers beat Heat to improve to NBA-best 9-2 in January The Blazers won for the 11th time in the last 14 games, but the best news came afterward when Avdija downplayed another ailment.

From last night: Deni Avdija reinjures back, Trail Blazers beat Heat to improve to NBA-best 9-2 in January ยป

www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...

23.01.2026 17:41 ๐Ÿ‘ 4 ๐Ÿ” 1 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0