The Portland Trail Blazers open the 2026-27 NBA regular season against the Phoenix Suns at the Moda Center on Wednesday, October 21. A new-look Trail Blazers side featuring both Damian Lillard and Ja Morant will hope to lead their team to an ideal start after their 42-40 campaign last season.
The Suns, meanwhile, come into the new season after a 45-37 regular season last campaign and a first-round exit at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Both teams have multiple injury concerns for the opening fixture, with Deni Avdija being listed as questionable for the Blazers due to right ankle soreness.
He is joined on the questionable list by Micah Potter, while Shaedon Sharpe and Branden Carlson are both out for this one. The Suns will also be without center Mark Williams, while guard Luke Kennard is questionable due to left knee tendinopathy.
Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)Deni Avdija's Injury Status vs. Suns
Avdija's potential absence would be a significant concern for Portland. The 25-year-old averaged 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game last season, earning his first All-Star selection.
He is questionable for this game after the injury seemingly emerged during Portland's Tuesday morning workout at its practice facility in Tualatin. Avdija is coming off the best season of his NBA career. He played a major role against the Suns in the two teams’ last meeting, scoring 41 points along with 12 assists and seven rebounds in a 114-110 play-in victory last season.
Portland do have the personnel to make up for Avdija’s absence. Morant joins Lillard in a new-look backcourt, while Jrue Holiday and Scoot Henderson will also be expected to absorb the extra minutes. Avdija can be expected to be replaced by Sidy Cissoko, and fans will hope he can make a return to the starting lineup.
Regardless, Avdija is not the only concern for this game, with Phoenix in much better shape as far as injuries are concerned. They will be without Williams after he underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder, while Kennard is dealing with an injury he picked up during the preseason game against the Chicago Bulls earlier this month.
Portland Trail Blazers Injury Report
Deni Avdija: Questionable (Right ankle soreness)
Micah Potter: Questionable (Illness)
Branden Carlson: Out (Concussion protocol)
Shaedon Sharpe: Out (Right meniscus surgery)
Article Continues BelowChris Youngblood: Out (Left ankle soreness)
Phoenix Suns Injury Report
Luke Kennard: Questionable (Left knee tendinopathy)
Mark Williams: Out (Left shoulder surgery)