Blazers' Deandre Ayton Surprisingly Added to Injury Report Ahead of Clash vs Rockets

The Portland Trail Blazers could be without their top center for their match against the Houston Rockets.

Blazers center Deandre Ayton has been downgraded to questionable hours before tip-off.

Blazers have added Deandre Ayton to the injury report tonight with lower back soreness. He’s listed as questionable.
— Sean Highkin (@highkin) January 18, 2025

Ayton hadn't appeared on the injury report all day but is now in danger of missing Saturday's contest due to a back issue.

If Ayton is ultimately ruled out, Robert Williams and Duop Reath are candidates to receive increased playing time.

The 26-year-old center was solid in his last outing, which came on Thursday night against the Los Angeles Clippers. He recorded 14 points, seven rebounds, and one assist and shot 7-for-13 from the field in 24 minutes of action in the loss.

Ayton was a -24 in the game, but they lost 118-89. The former No. 1 overall pick did slightly better than his outing on Tuesday against the Brooklyn Nets, in which he exceeded only two points on 1-for-4 shooting from the field and eight rebounds in 24 minutes.

Ayton has recently returned from a one-game absence due to left calf soreness. This new injury is different from what he experienced earlier in the week.

Ayton is in his second year as a Blazer, and this season has not been kind to the former Arizona Wildcat. He is averaging 13.5 points per game, 99 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.0 blocks while shooting 56.4 percent from the field in 30 games and 29.6 minutes of action.

There is a chance that this could be Ayton's last handful of games with the Blazers, as he sits at the top of their trading block. The 26-year-old is among the many names the Blazers could deal with as we approach the Feb. 6 trade deadline.

While that is the case, there is also a chance that he finishes this season with the Blazers. Ayton has two eyes left, including this one, before he becomes an unrestricted free agent.

For this game, Portland heads into the matchup with Houston after losing four straight games.

The Trail Blazers are 11-22 against Western Conference opponents. Portland ranks fifth in the NBA with 12.6 offensive rebounds per game, led by Ayton , who averages 2.8 offensive boards.

The Rockets have an 18-9 record against Western Conference teams. Houston has a 6-4 record in its last 10 games, while the Blazers have a 3-7 record.

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