Trail Blazers Face Suns Without Jrue Holiday in Critical Clash
Portland’s Injury Struggles
PHOENIX — The Portland Trail Blazers will be at a disadvantage once again as they prepare for their second consecutive game without starting point guard Jrue Holiday. After being listed as doubtful earlier in the week, the team officially ruled him out due to right calf soreness. His absence is significant as the Blazers aim to turn around their recent poor form against the Phoenix Suns.
In addition to Holiday, Portland is also missing key players, including Scoot Henderson (left hamstring tear), Damian Lillard (left Achilles tendon), Matisse Thybulle (left thumb ligament tear), and Blake Wesley (right foot fracture). This roster depletion has compounded the challenges facing the Blazers, who currently sit at 6-7 for the season.
The Suns, too, are dealing with injuries. Grayson Allen will miss his second straight game due to a right quad contusion, while Jalen Green remains sidelined with a right hamstring strain. Despite their injuries, both players traveled to Portland, indicating their importance to the team’s long-term plans.
Suns’ Recent Struggles and Portland’s Defensive Woes
The Suns (8-6) recently had their five-game winning streak halted by the Atlanta Hawks, a game marked by a dramatic collapse where they squandered a 22-point lead in the fourth quarter. Despite these setbacks, Phoenix has faced teams missing key players, including the Blazers, which could impact their performance.
Holiday may not be the biggest star on the Blazers’ roster, but his experience and leadership are invaluable. Since being acquired from the Boston Celtics in the offseason, the 16-year veteran has been averaging a career-high 8.3 assists alongside 16.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game. His absence leaves a noticeable void in the Blazers’ lineup.
Portland has struggled defensively in recent outings, allowing an alarming 129.2 points per game over their last five contests, of which they have lost four. This decline in defensive performance is surprising, considering the Blazers were known for their defensive prowess as the previous season wrapped up.
Emerging Talents and Challenges Ahead
Despite the team’s struggles, Deni Advija and Shaedon Sharpe have stepped up, both enjoying career seasons. Advija is contributing an impressive 26.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game, while Sharpe adds 22.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.2 steals. Their offensive performances are crucial for Portland as they navigate through this challenging stretch.
Suns star Devin Booker acknowledged the threat posed by the Blazers, emphasizing the need for defensive cohesion. “All those guys are getting into the teeth of the defense. They have a lot of attempts at the rim, and they’re shooting a lot of threes,” Booker noted. He stressed the importance of helping each other on drives while maintaining defensive pressure to avoid allowing the Blazers to find their rhythm.
As the Blazers prepare to face the Suns, they are aware that even without Holiday, creating turnovers and disrupting Phoenix’s offensive flow will be essential. This matchup marks the last game for the Suns against a team below .500 before they embark on a challenging stretch of 12 games, 11 of which will be against teams with winning records.
The clash is set to tip off at 9:00 p.m. MST, as both teams look to solidify their positions in a competitive Western Conference.
